Montecito, California – Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has sparked controversy by seemingly using her ‘HRH’ title on a gift note sent to a friend, Jamie Kern Lima, host of a podcast. This move has ignited criticism, particularly given previous reports that the late Queen Elizabeth II had cautioned her and Prince Harry against using their His/Her Royal Highness styles for commercial endeavors following their departure from the British Royal Family in 2020.
The gift basket, intended as a thoughtful gesture for Lima while she had visiting in-laws, contained items such as homemade strawberry jam (believed to be from the Duchess), Straus organic ice cream, flowers, and mint. However, it was the accompanying card, clearly bearing the inscription ‘HRH, The Duchess of Sussex,’ that drew immediate attention and ire after a screenshot circulated online following its appearance on Lima’s podcast.
Royal Family Critic Meghan Markle Uses ‘HRH’ Title on Gift Note, Defying Reported Late Queen’s Wishes
Critics argue that the prominent display of her royal title on a gift that implicitly promotes both Meghan’s ‘As Ever’ lifestyle brand (through the inclusion of homemade jam) and her podcast episode featuring Lima, directly contradicts the spirit of the agreement made when she and Prince Harry stepped down as senior working royals.
Royal watchers took to social media to express their disapproval. One user on X (formerly Twitter) questioned, “I thought they couldn’t use HRH?” Another echoed this sentiment, stating, “She’s not to [use] it per the Queen!”
When Meghan and Harry transitioned away from their royal duties in January 2020 to begin a new life in California, Buckingham Palace issued a statement clarifying their status. A key point of the statement read: “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.” HRH, an abbreviation for His/Her Royal Highness, is a style traditionally used by certain members of the monarchy.
Since their departure, Meghan has occasionally faced scrutiny for remarks perceived as critical of the Royal Family. In her recent podcast interview with Jamie Kern Lima, she described the initial period of her relationship with Prince Harry as being “in the trenches.”
During the conversation, Meghan offered glimpses into her family life in Montecito with Harry and their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. She shared a touching anecdote about sending her children daily emails as a “time capsule” for their future selves. She also recounted a sweet note she received from them, expressing their love for her cooking and hugs, which visibly moved her.
Meghan also reflected on her relationship with Prince Harry, stating she felt more in love than ever. She then made a comment that some listeners interpreted as a subtle jab at her time within the Royal Family, saying, “You have to imagine, at the beginning it’s all butterflies – but then we immediately went into the trenches together. Right out of the gate, like six months into dating. So now seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way. And that’s why I feel like it’s more of a honeymoon period for us now.”
As of this report, representatives for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not issued any public comment regarding the use of the ‘HRH’ title on the gift basket. The incident has nonetheless reignited the debate surrounding the couple’s post-royal roles and their adherence to the agreements made upon their departure.
