London, England — Prince William is reportedly committed to revoking the HRH titles held by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when he ascends to the throne. Concerns have emerged that Meghan is misusing the titles for commercial gain, violating an agreement established with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
According to unnamed sources, William has expressed strong disapproval of the couple’s attempts to capitalize on their royal status. Meghan, despite assurances given to the queen that she and Harry would not publicly use their HRH titles, has recently promoted her brand while prominently displaying the title in various communications.
A former royal aide shared that William’s contempt for Harry and Meghan is deeply rooted. He feels they have betrayed the values of the royal family, and the notion of them using their royal titles for commercial endeavors is particularly irksome. The HRH title, while largely ceremonial, carries significant weight and is often associated with senior royals who engage in official duties on behalf of the monarchy.
Though Meghan retains her title as Duchess of Sussex, she and Harry are bound by an agreement that prohibits them from using the HRH designation publicly. This pact was reportedly established during a significant meeting known as the Sandringham Summit in early 2020, when Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the U.S. While they retained their dukedom, the understanding was that the HRH titles would be reserved for occasions where they acted as representatives of the crown.
Friends close to William have suggested that Meghan appears to be testing the boundaries of the original agreement. Her recent post on social media, showcasing a note from a Ukrainian official that addressed her as HRH, has been construed as an attempt to bolster her global profile, blurring the lines of her commitment to the previously agreed terms.
Further complicating matters, Meghan reportedly sent a gift basket featuring her As Ever brand product to entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima, accompanied by a card reading, “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.” This act has elicited renewed questions about the legitimacy of her title’s usage within commercial contexts.
While Meghan’s advocates argue that her use of the title does not violate the rules if it is not for commercial endeavors, critics, including former palace aides, vehemently dispute this interpretation. They assert that the agreement clearly outlined that the Sussexes would refrain from using their HRH titles in any fashion, a view supported by official statements issued by the royal family.
Despite the growing tension surrounding this issue, King Charles appears hesitant to take decisive action, fearing potential backlash from Harry and Meghan. Reports indicate that the relationship between Charles and Harry has deteriorated to the point where conversations have become sparse.
A source close to William emphasized that his brother’s behavior is far less forgiving. “William will not tolerate this misuse of royal titles,” the source stated, hinting that once he takes the throne, stripping the couple of their titles could be a definitive move.
As these developments unfold, the future of the royal family’s dynamic remains uncertain, particularly regarding the Sussexes and their ongoing commercial pursuits. The question of royal titles looms large, and the actions taken in the coming weeks will likely echo within the family for years to come.