Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now polishing their official departure from the royal family and move to Canada later this year. However, after Queen Elizabeth II bans the royal couple from using the word royal in their brand, it looks like the Sussexes have to return from scratch and build their own name without being associated to the monarchy.
Her Majesty reportedly informed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that they needed to stop using their Sussex Royal label after they decided to step down as senior members of the royal family. After a series of lengthy and complex talks, the Queen and other senior officials all agreed that they couldn't keep the world royal in their branding.
ITV News royal editor Chris Ship said on Good Morning Britain, via Express, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had to re-engineer their brand as they were now back to "square one" after Queen Elizabeth's decision. He went on to say that the royal couple shouldn't be surprised by the news.
He stressed their intention to go to another country, leave their home, move to North America, and their decision to be not senior royals anymore, and yet to continue using the royal's name. "So, quite how they were expecting to get the Queen's permission to use Sussex Royal in all their branding, I don't really know."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Instagram page, which carries the Sussex Royal name, has 11.2 million followers. Their website also has the same name. With the new rule, it looks like they have to return from scratch and rebrand.
Ship continued to say that leaving the royal family means they have to leave everything behind. They, too, have to abandon their royal names if they want to leave the institution.
According to NBC News, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will officially begin their new lives on March 31. Their spokeswoman told Britain's Press Association that Buckingham Palace office would be close beginning the said date.
Regarding the use of the word royal in their brand, the spokeswoman added that the talks involving senior royals were still ongoing. Any changes would be then announced alongside the launch of their new non-profit organization later this year.
Prince Harry will also keep his military ranks of major, lieutenant commander, and squadron leader despite the exit. He, along with Meghan Markle, will continuously be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton, and the Baron and Baroness Kilkeel.
