Duchess accused of crossing a line as tensions over 'HRH' resurface
Meghan Markle has reportedly drawn the ire of Prince William after sharing a letter in which she and the Duke of Sussex were addressed using their former royal titles—His and Her Royal Highness—sparking backlash and renewed tensions within the monarchy.
The letter, penned by Ukraine’s Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, came following Harry’s recent visit to the war-torn nation and praised the couple for their humanitarian efforts. However, the reference to the Sussexes as Your Royal Highness raised eyebrows, particularly as the pair agreed not to use their HRH titles following their royal exit in 2020.
A friend of the Prince of Wales told The Daily Beast that Meghan’s move was seen as “disrespectful” and a calculated test of royal boundaries. “It’s actually quite a clever way of testing the water,” the source said. “She can claim it was a mistake, while subtly floating the idea of reclaiming the title.”
The use of the style has reignited criticism, with royal commentator Kinsey Schofield telling Sky News Australia that it was “so disrespectful” to Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy. She also claimed Prince William is considering stripping the Sussexes of their remaining titles—an outcome Harry and Meghan are reportedly keen to avoid due to its potential impact on their commercial ventures.
The episode has added fresh strain to already fraught relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
