Prince Harry and Meghan Markle issued a strikingly assertive response following Queen Elizabeth II’s decision to bar them from using their His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) styles after their announcement to step back as senior working members of the royal family in January 2020. The agreement, finalized after tense negotiations at Sandringham, marked a pivotal shift in the couple’s relationship with the monarchy. While Buckingham Palace’s official statement on January 18, 2020, clearly stated, “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family,” the Sussexes countered with their own carefully worded release that pushed back against the perceived limitations.

In their statement, Harry and Meghan emphasized that they would retain the HRH prefix formally but agreed not to actively use it in their new non-working capacity starting spring 2020. However, they went further by asserting that the Queen lacked “jurisdiction” over the term “Royal” outside the United Kingdom. They pointed out that, as Harry remained sixth in line to the throne and an HRH by birth, any attempt to fully revoke or control the usage internationally would prove unenforceable. This clause was interpreted by royal commentators as a deliberate challenge, suggesting the couple could still leverage the royal association in global ventures if they chose, particularly in commercial or charitable endeavors based overseas.

The wording drew immediate criticism for its perceived sharpness toward the late Queen. Analysts described it as “spiteful” and “unnecessary,” noting that it highlighted a fundamental disagreement over the terms of their exit. The Palace had sought a clean break to prevent any perception of the couple monetizing their royal status while no longer fulfilling official duties. Harry and Meghan’s response, however, framed the arrangement as flexible, especially beyond British borders, where the monarch’s authority does not extend in the same way. This stance aligned with their vision of financial independence through private initiatives, including media deals, philanthropy, and brand partnerships.

The backdrop to this exchange was the explosive Megxit announcement on January 8, 2020, when the couple revealed their intention to “step back” and split time between the UK and North America. Initial hopes for a “half-in, half-out” model—retaining some royal duties while pursuing private work—were swiftly rejected by the Queen and senior family members. The subsequent summit at Sandringham, involving Queen Elizabeth, then-Prince Charles, Prince William, and Harry, produced the compromise: the couple would relinquish public funding for duties, official military appointments, and the active use of HRH, while keeping their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles and private patronages.

Harry later reflected on these events in his memoir Spare and various interviews, expressing frustration over the process and the loss of autonomy. He described the HRH restriction as part of a broader sense of being sidelined, though he acknowledged the Queen’s personal role in facilitating a “supportive” path forward. Meghan, in podcasts and public appearances, has emphasized her focus on motherhood and independent projects, downplaying the title controversy while occasionally highlighting other “important” titles in her life, such as “mum.”

Years later, the issue resurfaced amid reports of Meghan using or being addressed as “Your Royal Highness” in certain contexts, including a 2025 Instagram post sharing a letter from Ukraine’s vice prime minister that began with the greeting. Palace insiders and royal friends expressed dismay, viewing it as a breach of the gentleman’s agreement with the late Queen. Sources close to King Charles III suggested he was “dismayed” but refrained from public anger, while allies of Prince William indicated stronger resentment, with speculation that William might pursue full stripping of titles upon ascending the throne—though such action would require parliamentary intervention for the dukedom itself.

The Sussexes have maintained that they honor the agreement by not commercially exploiting HRH, using it only in personal or non-public settings when others apply it. They have not formally surrendered the styles, as the 2020 deal was framed as voluntary non-usage rather than revocation. This nuance has fueled ongoing debate: critics argue it allows continued association with royalty for personal gain, while supporters see it as preserving birthright dignity amid a forced exit.

The episode underscored deeper fractures within the royal family—differing views on tradition versus modernity, duty versus independence, and the monarchy’s global image in an era of personal branding. Queen Elizabeth’s measured handling preserved institutional stability, yet the Sussexes’ bold framing of the limitations ensured the conversation persisted. As Harry and Meghan built their post-royal lives in California—through Archewell, Netflix projects, podcasts, and advocacy—the HRH shadow loomed as a symbol of unresolved tension.

For many observers, the response revealed the couple’s determination to retain agency, even if it meant publicly questioning the Queen’s authority in select domains. It transformed a procedural detail into a lasting point of contention, influencing perceptions of their exit and the monarchy’s adaptability. Whether viewed as defiant empowerment or unnecessary provocation, the statement captured a moment when royal protocol met modern individualism head-on, leaving an indelible mark on the institution’s history.