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A subtle yet significant act by Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has reignited discussions surrounding the couple's commitment to the terms of their departure from royal duties and their respect for the established protocols of the Royal Family. The 43-year-old Duchess reportedly included a card bearing her 'HRH' title – "with the compliments of HRH, Duchess of Sussex" – in a gift hamper sent to podcast host Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics. This action appears to directly contravene the agreement reached with the late Queen Elizabeth II during the highly publicized "Megxit" negotiations.
The decision for Prince Harry and Meghan to step back as senior working royals, formalized at the Sandringham Summit on January 13, 2020, involved a crucial agreement regarding their royal titles. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially retain their 'HRH' prefixes, as confirmed on their website, they committed to no longer actively using these titles from Spring 2020 onwards as they embarked on a more independent life. This agreement was a key element of the compromise that allowed them to pursue their own ventures while maintaining a connection to the Royal Family.
The emergence of this gift card, coinciding with Meghan's inaugural podcast interview on Jamie Kern Lima's show where she discussed her children and her new business venture, As Ever, has inevitably raised eyebrows. The central question now being asked is whether this use of the 'HRH' title, even in a seemingly personal context, undermines the spirit of the Megxit agreement and signals a potential disregard for the sensitivities surrounding their departure.
The Sandringham Summit, a pivotal meeting attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Prince William, and Prince Harry (with Meghan participating remotely), was convened to navigate the Sussexes' desire for a new, more independent life. Key outcomes included the agreement that Harry and Meghan would cease using their 'Royal Highness' titles in their active working lives, relinquish official military appointments, and withdraw from the Royal Rota media system. This was intended to pave the way for their financial independence and greater control over their public image.
While the specific context of the gift – a personal gesture to someone who recently interviewed Meghan – might be seen by some as a minor infraction, it nonetheless draws attention to the delicate balance the Sussexes must maintain between their former royal status and their current independent endeavors. The use of the 'HRH' title, even on a card accompanying a gift, can be interpreted as leveraging their royal connection, potentially blurring the lines they agreed to establish.
In response to reports of the gift card, a spokesperson for the Office of Prince Harry and Meghan stated, "Harry and Meghan retain their HRH titles; however, by agreement, they do not use them for commercial purposes." The spokesperson further added, "As Jamie notes in her teaser, she has had the jam for over a year, indicating that the photo and gift are not recent. While they do not publicly use 'HRH,' this was a personal gift, and their titles remain. This context should be accurately reflected in coverage."
Despite this explanation, the incident has fueled debate about the appropriateness of any use of the 'HRH' title by the couple in their post-royal life. Critics may argue that any deployment of the title, even in a personal setting, risks undermining the commitments made to the late Queen and could be perceived as attempting to retain a level of royal association without fulfilling the duties that traditionally accompany such titles. This latest development serves as a reminder of the ongoing complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's relationship with the Royal Family and the public eye.
