Meghan Markle's royal rules from HRH row to surname dispute and 'cynical' change

has reignited debate over royal protocol after she was spotted using her 'HRH' title—despite an agreement made with the late Queen Elizabeth II following the couple's departure from royal duties. , 43, sent a gift hamper to a podcast host accompanied by a card that read: “With the compliments of HRH, The Duchess of Sussex.”

The gift was sent to Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics, following Meghan’s appearance on her podcast. The episode marked and covered a wide range of topics, from her children to her recently launched lifestyle brand, As Ever.

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The use of the 'HRH' (Her Royal Highness) title raised eyebrows, as it seemingly contradicts the terms agreed upon during the pivotal 2020 'Sandringham Summit' - a high-level royal meeting that shaped the terms of Harry and Meghan’s exit from senior royal duties, widely referred to as "Megxit."

Held on January 13, 2020, at Queen Elizabeth II’s Sandringham estate, the summit was attended by the Queen, then-Prince Charles, , and . Meghan joined the discussion remotely from Canada, where she was staying with their son, Archie. During the meeting, it was agreed that while the couple would retain their HRH titles, they would no longer actively use them as they stepped away from royal life.

This agreement was later confirmed in a statement posted on the Sussexes’ official website, which said: "As agreed and set out in January, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will retain their HRH prefix, thereby formally remaining known as His Royal Highness The and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer actively use their HRH titles as they will no longer be working members of the as of Spring 2020."

However, a spokesperson for the Sussexes has denied that Meghan uses the title Her Royal Highness. However, it's not the first time Meghan and Harry have raised eyebrows by using the royal connections they walked away from for a new life in Montecito, California...

'Meghan Sussex'

In her food show,Meghan opened up about the surname she now uses. Thewho left palace life behind five years ago, has put aside her maiden name of Markle, but this is still the name to which she is often referred.

While chatting about fast food with in the second episode, Meghan could be seen sharply correcting The Office actress after she remarked: "People wouldn't believe that ate at Jack in the Box."

Offering some insight into how she refers to herself away from the public eye, mum of two Meghan scolded her and insisted she call her by her royal tile. "It's so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I'm Sussex now. You have kids, and you go, 'no I share my name with my children'… I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to go 'this is our family name, our little family name'."

Royal monogram

Meghan received the royal cypher after she married Prince Harry in May 2018. The emblem depicts a House of Windsor crown above a simple cursive "M." Since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have settled in Meghan’s home state of California.

As they’ve carved out their own path, they have at times incorporated royal emblems bestowed upon them both individually and as a couple.

Their website, sussex.com, features Meghan’s coat of arms and their joint cypher, both introduced after their wedding. Meghan also wore a signet ring stamped with the monogram she shares with Harry at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler in February — an anniversary gift from her husband last year.

Children's titles

Archie and Lilibet were given the right to become a prince and princess upon their grandfather's accession in September 2022.

But it was several months later, in March 2023, after Lilibet's christening, that Harry and Meghan confirmed that the youngsters were now prince and princess as they announced their daughter as Princess Lilibet. The couple were keen not to deny them their birthright, especially as the Sussexes had railed against royal life in several bombshell interviews since quitting the Firm.

Royal expert Jennie Bond told the that several years on, it does still seem a 'odd' move. The former royal correspondent explained: "I can understand Harry and Meghan wanting their children to have their birthright, even though they have turned their backs on life in the UK.

"What I find rather odd is their public use of these titles while the children are so young - and so estranged from their family and heritage. Both Harry and Meghan have made it clear that they found royal life deeply uncomfortable, so it’s hard to think they would ever want it for their children. But they are probably right to keep all options open for them."

Jennie added: "I think it might have been better for them to keep the titles private as Edward and Sophie kept their children’s HRH status private until and unless the children decide to use them.

"There’s no doubt that a royal title carries a good deal of kudos, especially in the States, and has a commercial and social value. So they are protecting their children’s interests - even if it does seem a touch cynical."

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