The British media is abuzz with controversy over Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, allegedly using her HRH title on a personal gift card. A podcast video recently surfaced, showing a gift basket sent to Jamie Kern Lima, CEO of IT Cosmetics, with a card reading “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.” This has raised questions about whether she violated the agreement made when she and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
A Complex Royal Protocol
As part of their agreement, the couple was supposed to stop using their HRH titles. However, sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex insist that Meghan’s use of the title was for a private, personal gift, not for commercial or public purposes. The gift was sent over a year ago, and there’s no evidence she used the title to promote her products or Netflix series.
Royal Titles: A Matter of Protocol
The Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Harry and Meghan would no longer use their HRH titles as they were no longer working royals. However, the agreement didn’t strip them of their titles entirely, just limited their use. A similar situation exists with Prince Andrew, who retains his HRH title despite no longer carrying out royal duties.
- The couple’s use of HRH titles is governed by an agreement made in 2020.
- Meghan used the title on a personal gift card, not for commercial purposes.
- The Buckingham Palace announcement limited, but didn’t remove, their HRH titles.
The situation highlights the complexities of royal protocol and the nuances surrounding the use of royal titles. While some may see Meghan’s actions as a breach of agreement, others view it as a personal gesture that doesn’t contravene the terms of their step-back from royal life.