In a recent turn of events that’s caught everyone’s attention, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was seen using her ‘HRH’ title on a gift card.
This move has raised eyebrows, particularly because it appears to contradict an agreement she made with the late Queen Elizabeth II as part of their exit from royal life, affectionately dubbed “Megxit.”
The 43-year-old Duchess sent a lavish gift basket to Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics and host of a popular podcast.
Inside the basket, a card was included that read, “with the compliments of HRH, Duchess of Sussex.” This casual usage of the ‘HRH’ title threw some royal watchers for a loop, considering the circumstances surrounding Megxit.
Meghan’s foray into the podcast world during her interview with Lima saw her open up about her children and her new business venture, As Ever.
This cheerful delivery of gifts seems like a sweet gesture, but the shadow of royal protocol looms large.
The decision for Prince Harry and Meghan to distance themselves from their royal titles came during the Sandringham Summit on January 13, 2020.
This pivotal meeting took place at Queen Elizabeth II’s estate in Norfolk, where senior royals, including Prince Charles and Prince William, hashed out the Sussexes’ future outside the royal fold.
Notably, Meghan participated in this summit via video link from Canada, where she was living with their son, Archie.
Kate Middleton and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, didn’t feature in that meeting, which was confined to four royal household heads.
The outcome established a clear edict: Harry and Meghan would no longer be allowed to use their ‘HRH’ designations.
While they maintained royalty in their titles, they wouldn’t actively employ them in their everyday lives from the spring of 2020 onwards.
This decision was first communicated via an Instagram post on January 8, where they shared their intention of stepping back from their roles as senior royals.
The late Queen, while expressing her support for their quest to create a new life, had hoped they’d choose to remain engaged as full-time royals.
The Sandringham Summit didn’t just flip the script on how the Sussexes would be referred to; it also laid the groundwork for their future independence.
They were allowed to split their time between the UK and Canada, striking a balance between royal life and personal independence.
Harry and Meghan also made it clear they wanted to be financially self-sufficient, stepping away from public funding and the Sovereign Grant that previously underpinned their royal activities.
They agreed to relinquish military appointments, give up their official titles in media dealings, and curate their public image more tightly.
In her heartfelt podcast appearance, Meghan praised Harry for his steadfast support in her entrepreneurial pursuits, reminiscing fondly about their early days of courtship when they both sought to maintain a low profile.
She recalled the butterflies of their budding romance but also the shift that took place once their relationship became public, admitting they had to “go into the trenches together.”
In light of this incident, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement.
They clarified that while Harry and Meghan still hold their titles, they agreed not to use ‘HRH’ in a commercial capacity.
The spokesperson elaborated that the gift and related photo were not recent and that Meghan’s gesture was personal.
They also encouraged the media to accurately reflect the nuances of their agreement, reinforcing that despite the occasional slip, their titles remain intact.
So, where does that leave Meghan and Harry?
Are they still bound by the rules of royalty, or have they carved out a new path where the rules bend a little?
Only time will tell if this rogue usage of ‘HRH’ is a simple faux pas or a sign of a larger tension within the royal family dynamic.
