The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 10: August 2024 -

[HRHHermione]

I am a bit confused. I think they agreed to not use it in business ventures but I guess using it in private would be fine? (even if it’s odd to sign as HRH the duchess, particularly when outside the uk!)

They agreed they wouldn’t use it, period. Meghan has just apparently decided not to follow that agreement.

It will be interesting to see if there are any instances of Harry using it because so far, he hasn’t broken that.

 

[Prinsara]

Harry’s not interested in the title (style), its significance, or attaches any special meaning to it. He grew up with it; it’s part of the scenery. At least that’s what he more or less said by way of Spare.

She is and does, clearly (and possibly sees it as her reward for what she went through, as much as something in a carefully curated goodie bag).

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I am a bit confused. I think they agreed to not use it in business ventures but I guess using it in private would be fine? (even if it’s odd to sign as HRH the duchess, particularly when outside the uk!)

The couple agreed not to use their HRHs at all, once they ceased being working members of the Royal Family. The agreement didn't distinguish between business and private use.

Statement from Buckingham Palace
[...]
The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
​

Statement from Her Majesty The Queen

Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my...

www.royal.uk

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer actively use their HRH titles as they will no longer be working members of the family as of Spring 2020.​

Spring 2020 Transition | The Official Website of The Duke & Duchess of Sussex

We are pleased to now be able to share with you an update on many of the details agreed at a meeting of The Royal Family in January 2020, which outlines The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new roles, taking effect Spring 2020. We had hoped to be allowed to share these details with you …

web.archive.org

 

[tommy100]

Some interesting details from the Telegraph about just how they have been using their HRH since agreeing not to.

https://archive.is/aPVlj

The Duchess has referred to herself as HRH ever since they relocated to the US, on private letters, gifts and invitations, it is understood.

When they travel abroad, the couple are also said to request that their HRH titles be used.

One source said it was an attempt to “feel relevant”.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Some interesting details from the Telegraph about just how they have been using their HRH since agreeing not to.

https://archive.is/aPVlj

Interesting, thank you. Quoting the article:

However, the Duke and Duchess appear to have interpreted things differently and believe that they simply agreed not to use HRH for commercial purposes.

Their titles remain and they are free to use them in private, sources close to them insisted.​

It isn’t clear to me how the single sentence (quoting the Buckingham Palace statement of January 18, 2020):

“The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”​

can be interpreted as “they simply agreed not to use HRH for commercial purposes”, but I would appreciate any explanation.


Quoting the article again:

The Duchess has referred to herself as HRH ever since they relocated to the US, on private letters, gifts and invitations, it is understood.

When they travel abroad, the couple are also said to request that their HRH titles be used.

One source said it was an attempt to “feel relevant”.​

It seems likely that it was the Duchess of Sussex(’s spokesperson) who revealed her HRH usage on private letters, gifts and invitations – since no one else (other than the recipients) would be likely to have seen her private letters, gifts and invitations. If so, why choose to disclose that information to the Telegraph at this time?

 

[Curryong]

This is from the BBC, stating that the card accompanied ‘a private gift over a year ago.’

‘According to sources, the couple do not use HRH in commercial or public settings - and this was only a private use of the title and was for a gift given more than a year ago.

This distinction would mean the HRH title was not being used to promote the jams and food products in Meghan's As Ever range or her Netflix cookery series.’

Meghan uses 'HRH' title but denies breaking rules

The Duchess of Sussex was seen using the HRH title on a gift card to a friend.

www.bbc.com

 

[Prinsara]

The article gets it wrong in saying HRH was stripped from the Duke of Windsor, though. Even the London Gazette will confirm it wasn’t.

It seems likely that it was the Duchess of Sussex(’s spokesperson) who revealed her HRH usage on private letters, gifts and invitations – since no one else (other than the recipients) would be likely to have seen her private letters, gifts and invitations. If so, why choose to disclose that information to the Telegraph at this time?

Quite possibly, but also the recipients of such things are the friends she tends to marshal for PR purposes. As to why now, it’s suddenly come to public light that she’s been helping herself to the initals?

 

[HRHHermione]

This distinction would mean the HRH title was not being used to promote the jams and food products in Meghan's As Ever range or her Netflix cookery series.

I think since it was literally attached to a basket of promotional jam sent at a time when Meghan was building a jam selling business, that is asking people to not believe what is right in front of their faces.

 

[kalnel]

In Wallis’s case, though, I don’t know if she determined on it, but we do know her husband (who did still have the HRH, was free to use it, and was very annoyed about the unequal treatment) insisted on it. (Whether that was because of her complaining isn’t as clear.)

True! More recent books and docs seem to suggest that the Duke was the one who wanted her to have it more than she did.

Sort of the reverse of the impression I have of Harry and his wife.

 

[Magnolia471]

I don't think Meghan really cares about royal titles or even understands what they stand for, it's clearly another marketing move...which "coincidentally" was made public on William and Kate's wedding anniversary, but let's pretend it's was another "coincidence".
She and her PR team always play these petty little games to get the press talking about her. It's repetitive and boring by now. Mean girls in middle school behave themselves like this, watching a woman in her 40s exhibit this behavior is a little bit pathetic but I guess any press is good press, right?

 

[Asteria12]

Oh, I think her royal research as a teen proves that she not only understands a great deal about royal titles, but she also cares very much about having one to her name. It is a massive status symbol even in a country that fought a war to ditch royalty (nuff' said about that nowadays ). She's not the first nor will she be the last to trade on her title to gain entry to the ranks of the American elite, where it seems she'd like to be.

 

[carlota]

They agreed they wouldn’t use it, period. Meghan has just apparently decided not to follow that agreement.

It will be interesting to see if there are any instances of Harry using it because so far, he hasn’t broken that.

Oh I seem to have missed a chapter on this then.

Honestly part of the fault in this is Buckingham palace’s. Not sure why they decided that they should not use them as opposed to just stripping them of the titles. They opened the possibility for this to happen when they didn’t just strip the titles as opposed to asking them not to use them - which, given the character of these two - wouldn’t have been a far fetched event but a very plausible one.

 

[Hallo girl]

Oh I seem to have missed a chapter on this then.

Honestly part of the fault in this is Buckingham palace’s. Not sure why they decided that they should not use them as opposed to just stripping them of the titles. They opened the possibility for this to happen when they didn’t just strip the titles as opposed to asking them not to use them - which, given the character of these two - wouldn’t have been a far fetched event but a very plausible one.

Maybe because the Late Queen did not want to appear petty, as she was accused of during the Diana days, also she possibly trusted her beloved grandson whom she addressed as the much loved member of her family. That was her mistake, trusting Harry, either that he does not have a voice to tell his wife she should not be using the titles. The ‘brave’ Afghan war hero is silent, she doesn’t even take his hand now.
Where did it all go wrong Harry.
There is definitely a media onslaught from Meghan just now, any publicity is good publicity.

 

[Curryong]

Harry did serve in a war zone in Afghanistan and served two tours of duty. I for one do consider that brave.

If the Sussex titles had been stripped, as has been discussed here may times before, then Harry would have gone by the title bestowed on him at birth, Prince Harry, and his wife would have been, by custom, Princess Harry, or Henry. That would have played very well in the US where, among the general population, Dukes and Duchess titles aren’t that well understood.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

I cannot imagine Meghan being willing to be called Princess Henry/Harry - talk about losing your identity by using your husband’s first name…..

 

[Curryong]

Princess Michael of Kent seems to be quite OK with it. And it’s more than likely that in the US Meghan would just be addressed as ‘Princess Meghan’.

 

[FigTree]

It's all silly. Absolutely ridiculous. Why do they need these titles. They don't work for them. The children too. Absolutely ridiculous. I at least hope Charlotte and Louis' children, should they have them, won't have those titles. Either Lord or Lady or none.

 

[Hallo girl]

I cannot imagine Meghan being willing to be called Princess Henry/Harry - talk about losing your identity by using your husband’s first name…..

But she using the title. So ticking off her friend for referring to her as Meghan Markle and not Sussex was a plant. All this drip feed is so typical of her, drip drip every day until now we know she has been using them all the time. Even the photograph of the gift card was from last year, so we-are being told.
She is a manipulator alright.

 

[An Ard Ri]

A spokesperson for the duke and duchess has addressed the use of royal titles by the Sussexes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's representatives forced to release urgent denial

 

[Marengo]

They are denying the use of the HRH while we have a photo where it clearly is shown?

 

[Ghost]

A spokesperson for the duke and duchess has addressed the use of royal titles by the Sussexes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's representatives forced to release urgent denial

Well, so she uses it in private and the representatives say they don’t use it? Make it make sense.

 

[An Ard Ri]

And fooling no one with it either!

They are denying the use of the HRH while we have a photo where it clearly is shown?

It was a printed card complete with the duchess's monogram and not signed personally.
It could have been accidentally attached instead of a handwritten note but where the duchess of Sussex is concerned I have my doubts.

 

[Hallo girl]

And fooling no one with it either!

It was a printed card complete with the duchess's monogram and not signed personally.
It could have been accidentally attached instead of a handwritten note but where the duchess of Sussex is concerned I have my doubts.

Why has the existence of said gift and card suddenly became public knowledge. It is a game. Meghan is a player.
I am actually happy they are no longer working royals and have access to the rest of the family, it would be constant chaos , turmoil and sources say.
Let them get on with their lives, they are turning themselves into a joke, the no make up and tears fiasco.

 

[yukari]

(...)

If the Sussex titles had been stripped, as has been discussed here may times before, then Harry would have gone by the title bestowed on him at birth, Prince Harry, and his wife would have been, by custom, Princess Harry, or Henry. That would have played very well in the US where, among the general population, Dukes and Duchess titles aren’t that well understood.

But it seems like she doesn't think so because what stop her from doing it now? Her husband is The Prince Henry, he doesn't need to lose his Duke title to be one, in fact world media (including US) still calling him Prince Harry. So if, like you said, "Princess Henry" or even "Princess Meghan" would haved played better for American, why doesn't she do it? I mean, US media has been calling Catherine "Princess Kate" from the beginning of her marriage, so Meghan could just call her contact in, say, People Mag to start printing article calling her "Princess Meghan", no?

 

[hereditarytitles]

Several papers here have written that Prince William is outraged and wants to remove their titles once he is king. As ever we don't know if there is any truth in this.

Versehen oder Absicht? Meghan Markle sorgt mit königlichem Titel für Empörung

Herzogin Meghan entzündet mit einer Instagram-Story wieder eine royale Debatte. Die Nutzung eines besonderen Titels löst Entrüstung aus.

www.merkur.de

 

[KristehH]

I think Meghan using the HRH title is pathetic, at this point-anything for a headline. The Palace would be best served by just continuing to ignore the antics.

 

[Alison H]

Some people just like using titles, because they think it makes them look important. For example, Lady Colin Campbell was married to Lord Colin Campbell for 15 months, in the mid-1970s, but still uses the title "Lady Colin".

As has often been pointed out before, removing the titles officially would mean involving Parliament.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

As has often been pointed out before, removing the titles officially would mean involving Parliament.

No, those comments were incorrect. Parliament has never been involved in removing HRH titles, except when peerage titles are being removed at the same time. For example, the 1996 decision that divorced wives would lose their HRH, or HRH Princess Patricia of Connaught’s demotion to Lady Patricia Ramsay, did not involve Parliament.

Royal Styles and Titles of Great Britain: Documents

 

[Mbruno]

Several papers here have written that Prince William is outraged and wants to remove their titles once he is king. As ever we don't know if there is any truth in this.

Versehen oder Absicht? Meghan Markle sorgt mit königlichem Titel für Empörung

Herzogin Meghan entzündet mit einer Instagram-Story wieder eine royale Debatte. Die Nutzung eines besonderen Titels löst Entrüstung aus.

www.merkur.de

We have been hearing that Prince William wants to remove their titles since the Sussexes left the UK.

Honestly I am pretty sure that William has more important issues to care about. I tend to dismiss those reports then as part of the ongoing press narrative of a feud between William/ Catherine and Harry/ Meghan.

Besides nobody knows when William will be King. Circumstances change over time and I suppose we cannot predict what William will or will not do when his time comes. As mentioned many times before here, removing Harry's peerages would require an act of Parliament (William cannot do it alone), but I guess he could remove the HRH on his own if he wanted to.

 

[shady lady]

Several papers here have written that Prince William is outraged and wants to remove their titles once he is king. As ever we don't know if there is any truth in this.

Versehen oder Absicht? Meghan Markle sorgt mit königlichem Titel für Empörung

Herzogin Meghan entzündet mit einer Instagram-Story wieder eine royale Debatte. Die Nutzung eines besonderen Titels löst Entrüstung aus.

www.merkur.de

I would imagine he was already aware of her/them doing it, his probable reaction now was just an eye roll and an "at it again are they?" before getting on with much more important matters. He has to bide his time until he becomes King if he does want to take action, the ball is in Charles's court for doing anything about it if he wants to.

I've seen people becoming frustrated with what they perceive as Charles's lack of action but as I said previously IMO the titles are now not worth the paper (or card) they're written on. Let her play her little games, already predictable, they're now becoming rather dull and as long as the BRF don't react she won't achieve anything