Meghan Markle Defies Royal Ban with HRH Title Scandal – Is She Clinging to the British Royals or Just Exploiting Them?
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has once again found herself at the center of a royal controversy due to her alleged use of the “Her Royal Highness” (HRH) title in personal activities. Reports suggest that Meghan used the HRH styling on a gift basket sent to American entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima, despite an agreement with the late Queen Elizabeth II prohibiting its use after she and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020. This incident has reignited debates about the Sussexes’ relationship with the British Royal Family, their adherence to royal protocol, and the implications of their actions on their public image and the monarchy. This article explores the details of the controversy, its historical context, reactions from the public and royal insiders, and the broader implications for Meghan and Harry’s standing within and outside the royal sphere.
Background: The Megxit Agreement and HRH Restrictions
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step back as senior members of the British Royal Family, a move popularly dubbed “Megxit.” Following negotiations with Buckingham Palace, the couple agreed to relinquish their roles as working royals and move to the United States to pursue independent careers. As part of this agreement, it was explicitly stated that while they would retain their HRH titles, they would no longer actively use them in public or commercial ventures. The official statement from Buckingham Palace in January 2020 noted, “From Spring 2020, they will formally retain their titles of ‘His/Her Royal Highness’ but no longer actively use their ‘HRH’s.”
This decision was rooted in the monarchy’s desire to maintain a clear distinction between working royals, who represent the Crown, and non-working royals, who pursue private endeavors. The HRH title, a prestigious honor, is traditionally reserved for royals who undertake official duties on behalf of the monarchy. By stepping away from these responsibilities, Harry and Meghan were expected to refrain from leveraging their royal titles for personal or financial gain, a condition that was seen as a cornerstone of the Megxit deal.
The Jamie Kern Lima Gift Basket Incident
The controversy over Meghan’s use of the HRH title resurfaced in April 2025, when Jamie Kern Lima, a prominent American entrepreneur and founder of It Cosmetics, shared details of a personal gift she received from Meghan. During an episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Kern Lima revealed that Meghan had sent her a gift basket containing a jar of homemade strawberry jam, a product from Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever. Accompanying the gift was a monogrammed card that read, “With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
This revelation sparked immediate backlash, as it appeared to contravene the 2020 agreement with Buckingham Palace. Sources close to the situation clarified that the gift was a private gesture, not a commercial endeavor, and that Meghan’s formal HRH title remained valid for personal use. However, the public nature of Kern Lima’s disclosure—shared during a podcast interview—blurred the lines between private and public spheres, leading to accusations that Meghan was testing the boundaries of the Megxit agreement.
Royal watchers and commentators on platforms like X quickly seized on the incident, with some labeling Meghan’s actions as “provocative” and “inauthentic.” One user remarked, “She’s just plain old Megs to the world but to her friends she’s ‘Her Royal Highness’. Somebody help her, she needs help.” Another suggested that Meghan was deliberately using the title to gauge the Royal Family’s reaction, stating, “When Meghan Markle used her HRH title with a friend, it was designed to test the RF for a reaction.”
Royal Family’s Reaction and Internal Tensions
The British Royal Family has reportedly been displeased with Meghan’s actions, with insiders describing the incident as a breach of trust. According to RadarOnline, royal sources indicated that senior royals, including Prince William, were “absolutely furious” over Meghan’s continued use of the Sussex title and HRH styling for personal gain. The incident has added fuel to existing tensions between the Sussexes and the monarchy, particularly in light of other recent controversies, such as Meghan’s successful business ventures and the couple’s public criticisms of the Royal Family through interviews, documentaries, and Harry’s memoir, Spare.
The issue of titles has been a particularly sensitive one for the Royal Family. Reports suggest that Prince William, as the heir to the throne, is considering stripping Harry, Meghan, and their children—Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—of their HRH titles when he becomes king. This move would align with efforts to “future-proof” the monarchy by reserving HRH titles exclusively for working royals, a precedent set by Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, who revoked the HRH titles of her youngest son’s children in 2022. A royal commentator noted, “Like Queen Margrethe did at the end of her reign, King Charles has the power to cut the HRH cord from Prince Harry’s children, once and for all, confirming that their future lies beyond the Royal Family.”
The Jamie Kern Lima incident has also raised questions about Meghan’s intentions. Some royal insiders believe that her use of the HRH title, even in a private context, reflects a desire to maintain a connection to her royal status, despite her public narrative of moving on from royal life. A source told RadarOnline, “Meghan comes across as responsible and quality-driven when she focuses on local deliveries [for her brand], but this HRH business undermines that image.”
Public and Media Sentiment
Public reaction to the controversy has been mixed, reflecting the polarized views on Meghan and Harry’s post-royal life. On one hand, supporters argue that Meghan’s use of the HRH title in a private gift was harmless and within her rights, given that she formally retains the title. A source close to the couple told PEOPLE that the note was “part of a private, personal gift—not a business move,” emphasizing that Meghan and Harry have adhered to the Megxit agreement by not using their titles in commercial ventures. Fans on social media have echoed this sentiment, with one X user stating, “Meghan’s HRH title is hers to use privately. The outrage is just another excuse to attack her.”
On the other hand, critics view the incident as a deliberate attempt to capitalize on her royal status. Posts on X have accused Meghan of hypocrisy, with one user writing, “Meghan Markle is using HRH, despite no longer being a working royal and therefore not allowed to use it. She is using her royal title to sell products.” Media outlets like The Sun and GB News have amplified these criticisms, with commentators describing Meghan’s actions as a “clear sign” of her intent to provoke the Royal Family.
The controversy has also drawn comparisons to other instances where Meghan and Harry have been accused of leveraging their royal connections. For example, their hiring of Emily Robinson, a former publicist for Netflix’s The Crown, as their Global Publicity Director, was interpreted by some as a sign of their intent to launch further attacks on the Royal Family. These incidents have collectively reinforced the narrative that the Sussexes are unwilling to fully sever ties with their royal past, even as they build independent careers in the United States.
Implications for Meghan and Harry’s Future
The HRH title controversy poses several challenges for Meghan and Harry’s public image and their relationship with the Royal Family. Firstly, it risks undermining their efforts to establish themselves as independent entrepreneurs and philanthropists. Meghan’s As Ever brand, which includes products like Napa Valley Rosé and fruit spreads, has been a commercial success, with her rosé selling out in under an hour on July 1, 2025. However, the HRH incident has drawn negative attention to her business ventures, with critics like chef Jameson Stocks branding her launches as opportunistic.
Secondly, the controversy could further strain their already fragile relationship with the Royal Family. The Sussexes’ public criticisms of the monarchy, including their 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview and Harry’s Spare, have deepened the rift with senior royals, particularly Prince William and King Charles. The HRH incident, combined with reports that Prince William is prepared to revoke their titles, suggests that reconciliation remains unlikely in the near future.
Finally, the incident highlights the delicate balance Meghan and Harry must navigate as they forge their post-royal identities. While they have embraced their freedom to pursue media and business ventures, their actions are still scrutinized through the lens of their royal past. The HRH title, even when used privately, carries significant weight, and its misuse—perceived or real—can have far-reaching consequences for their credibility and public perception.
Conclusion
Meghan Markle’s alleged use of the HRH title in a gift to Jamie Kern Lima has reignited debates about her adherence to the Megxit agreement and her relationship with the British Royal Family. While the incident was framed as a private gesture, its public disclosure has fueled accusations of provocation and opportunism, further straining the Sussexes’ ties with the monarchy. As Meghan and Harry continue to build their brand in the United States, they must carefully navigate the complexities of their royal titles and the expectations that come with them. The controversy serves as a reminder of the enduring scrutiny they face and the challenges of balancing personal freedom with royal legacy.
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