Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has found herself in the spotlight once again, this time over the use of her royal title, Her Royal Highness (HRH). On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, her representatives firmly denied suggestions that she is still using the title after stepping back from royal duties. The controversy stems from a recent podcast appearance where a video revealed a gift basket sent to Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder of IT Cosmetics, which included a card reading: "With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex." This revelation has sparked discussions about the implications of her title usage.
Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, relinquished their royal titles when they stepped down as senior royals in March 2020, a move that has since been referred to as "Megxit." Despite their agreement with the late Queen and senior royal officials to stop using the word "Royal," Meghan still retains the HRH title, which Harry has held since birth. However, they are not supposed to use it publicly.
In the podcast episode, which aired on the Jamie Kern Lima Show, the host shared that the gift basket, sent to her home "about a year ago," contained homemade strawberry sauce and ice cream. Lima expressed gratitude, stating that the thoughtful gift was meant to lighten her load during a stressful time. She noted, "It showed great empathy and gave something that adds value to my life." This incident has raised questions about whether the use of HRH on the card constitutes a breach of the couple's agreement with the royal family.
Sources close to the couple have clarified that the title was used solely in a private context and not for any commercial or public purposes. They emphasized that this was not a violation of their agreement, which was established when they stepped back from royal duties. According to these sources, the couple does not use HRH in any public settings, and this instance was merely a private gesture.
The agreement made at the time of their departure from royal life did not strip them of their titles but rather restricted how they could use them. As a result, while they no longer hold the titles in a working capacity, they still retain them, similar to Prince Andrew, another non-working royal who also does not use HRH in an official capacity.
During the podcast, Meghan reflected on her relationship with Harry, describing how their early days were marked by media scrutiny and pressure. She shared, "You have to imagine at the beginning, everyone has, like, butterflies. Then we immediately went into the trenches together. Yeah, right out of the gate, like six months into dating." Now, she feels they are in a "honeymoon period" as they enjoy a newfound breathing space.
Meghan's personal life has been a topic of interest, especially as she opened up about her children, Archie and Lilibet. She revealed that she sends emails to secret addresses she created for them, intending for them to read the messages when they are older. "Before I go to bed, almost every night, I email them, like, here's your report card from today, or, oh my gosh, wasn't it the funniest thing this morning?" she shared, showcasing her desire to preserve memories for her children.
In addition to her family life, Meghan has been busy with her professional endeavors. She recently launched her Netflix show, a new podcast, and a lifestyle brand named As Ever. The first batch of products from As Ever, which included raspberry spread, flower sprinkles, and herbal tea, sold out quickly. However, her Netflix lifestyle series, "With Love, Meghan," received a mixed reception, facing critical reviews.
Meghan also debuted a new podcast series, "Confessions of a Female Founder," in April 2025. In the fourth episode, she discussed her journey in starting her jam-making business, inspired by a fear of failing. She revealed that she sought business advice from Oprah Winfrey and described herself as an over-achiever, attributing this trait to her blood type, A positive. Additionally, she admitted to sometimes ignoring her advisers to follow her gut feelings, a behavior that had drawn criticism during her time as a working royal.
As the couple continues to navigate their post-royal lives, the spotlight remains on their every move. The discussions surrounding Meghan's use of the HRH title serve as a reminder of the complexities of their relationship with the royal family and the public's fascination with their journey. With each new venture, Meghan aims to carve out her own identity while balancing the remnants of her royal past.
While Buckingham Palace has not commented on the latest incident, it is clear that the Sussexes are determined to maintain a distinction between their private lives and their royal titles. As they move forward, the couple's ability to adapt to their new roles outside the royal family continues to be a subject of intrigue and scrutiny.
