The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have issued a clarification on their website about Queen Elizabeth II’s decision to prohibit the pair from using the term “Royal” in their branding.
The drama around Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s departure is showing no indications of calming down weeks after they said they will step down as senior members of the royal family.
Harry and Meghan announced that they would stop using the term “royal” in their branding.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s spokesman confirmed that, as part of Megxit, they would no longer use the terms “royal” or “Sussex Royal” in any way, citing “specific UK government rules” as the explanation.
The spokesperson told People magazine, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ in any territory post-Spring 2020.”
However, in a lengthy piece on Harry and Meghan’s official site, the couple outlines how their transition would take effect while still emphasizing that the word “Royal” is not owned by the Queen.
“While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020,” Harry and Meghan wrote on their official website.
Meghan and Harry make it plain that they are simply removing the title to conform with Queen Elizabeth’s preferences, stressing that she has no legal authority to prevent them from utilizing it in other countries.
Meanwhile, Meghan and Harry have withdrawn their trademark applications for the word, which they concede were “filed as protective measures” and “reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.”
“As agreed and set out in January, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will retain their “HRH” prefix, thereby formally remaining known as His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex,” Meghan and Harry said.
As of spring 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer use their HRH titles because they will no longer be working members of the house.
The Sussexes will be financially independent; they will hold but not use their HRH — His or Her Royal Highness — titles; and they will not render any “representative duties” on behalf of the Queen, but they will be able to keep their patronages, according to their website.
Based on the Duke’s public image as a member of the Royal Family, his military service, the Duchess’ own independent profile, and the joint threat and risk level reported specifically over the past few years, the Duke and Duchess would need effective security to defend themselves and their son, according to the statement.
The website also suggests that the Sussexes believe they are being treated unfairly from other members of the royal family who have sought work outside of the monarchy, pointing out that they are subject to a one-year check.
“While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place,” they said.
