Meghan Markle Uses HRH Title Again—Was It a Private Note or Public Statement?

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has found herself at the center of renewed scrutiny after a card bearing the royal style "HRH" appeared in a video shared by a close friend, raising questions over her adherence to the agreement she and Prince Harry made with the late Queen Elizabeth II upon stepping back from their royal duties. 

The note, which read “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex,” was included in a gift basket sent to U.S. cosmetics entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima. The basket featured items such as homemade strawberry jam, Straus organic ice cream, fresh mint, and flowers. 

Private or Promotional? 

The HRH title—short for Her Royal Highness—was meant to be retired from use when the couple exited their official roles in January 2020. 

Buckingham Palace made clear at the time that “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.” However, the titles were never officially revoked. 

Sources close to the California-based couple insist the card was not a breach of the royal agreement. According to insiders, the gift was sent more than a year ago and was not used for commercial purposes. 

“They do not use HRH in any public or business capacity,” said a spokesperson. “This was a personal, private gesture.” 

Still, the timing raised eyebrows. The image resurfaced shortly after Meghan launched her new lifestyle brand, As Ever, and some observers speculated the gesture doubled as soft promotion. 

Critics React as Royal Branding Lines Blur 

The gift basket sent by Meghan to U.S. cosmetics entrepreneur Jamie 

Critics argue that even indirect references to HRH, especially when paired with branded products, can blur the line between private correspondence and public image management. Royal fans also reacted swiftly on social media. 

“I thought they couldn’t use HRH?” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

Another noted: “She’s not to use it per the Queen!” 

Royal commentator Ingrid Seward weighed in, saying, “I think if her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, were still around, she would be highly offended. She was very sensitive about that. The Queen didn’t remove HRH but told them not to use it.” 

Seward added that the couple may now feel less obligated to follow those directives in the Queen’s absence. 

Prince Andrew, who also stepped back from royal duties amid scandal, retains his HRH title but does not use it in any official capacity, similar to the arrangement made with the Sussexes. 

While the Duchess has made comments in the past that appeared to be veiled criticisms of the royal establishment, her latest gesture has reignited debate over the terms of Megxit and what, if any, boundaries remain enforceable.