Meghan Markle is facing fresh scrutiny over potential breaches of her 2020 "Megxit" agreement with the late Queen Elizabeth II after a recent podcast appearance revealed she used the title "Her Royal Highness" in a personal thank-you note.
During a 90-minute podcast with cosmetics entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, discussed her life in California, her children, and her marriage to Prince Harry. However, controversy erupted when Kern Lima recalled receiving a food gift basket from Markle about a year ago, accompanied by a card signed: "With Compliments of H.R.H. The Duchess of Sussex." A photo of the card, posted online, confirmed the use of the disputed title.
Markle and Prince Harry agreed as part of the Sandringham Agreement to no longer use their HRH titles, amid concerns the couple might leverage their royal status for commercial gain. Although they were not stripped of the titles formally, they pledged not to use them publicly after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
Royal author Ingrid Seward commented to The Sun: "I think if her late grandmother-in-law Queen Elizabeth was still around she would be highly offended, as she was very sensitive about that. She wouldn't think it was the correct form and remember she removed the HRH titles from both Diana and Sarah Ferguson."
Seward continued, "The Queen didn't remove HRH but told them not to use it. But she isn't here anymore so maybe Harry and Meghan think they can get away with it."
A spokesperson for the Sussexes emphasized that they do not actively use their HRH titles, though the podcast incident has renewed criticisms over blurred lines between their royal ties and their growing commercial ventures.
The controversy comes on the heels of Markle's tense exchange with actress Mindy Kaling during a recent cooking show appearance, where Markle corrected Kaling, saying, "It's so funny you keep calling me Markle when you know I'm Sussex now."
Markle also addressed long-standing speculation over a potential memoir, telling Kern Lima, "Yes, maybe, for sure," when asked if she would write a second book following her 2021 children's release "The Bench." She added, "I think people are often curious if I'm going to write a memoir, but I've got a lot more life to live before I'm there."
Relations between Prince Harry and the royal family remain strained following the 2023 release of his memoir Spare, which revealed private conversations and alleged that Prince William had physically attacked him over comments about Meghan. Sources indicate the brothers have not spoken since Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022.
Markle also opened up emotionally about her family life in California, reflecting on what she described as a "honeymoon period" with Harry after stepping back from royal duties. She said, "Seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way, and that's why I feel like it's more of a honeymoon period for us now."
Speaking about Prince Harry, Meghan said, "He's just going to do whatever he can to make sure that our family is safe and protected and we're uplifted and still make time for date nights. He's also a fox. If you haven't noticed, my husband's very, very handsome. But his heart is even more beautiful."
Markle became emotional when discussing her children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, revealing that she maintains "secret emails" for them to read when they are older. "Before I go to bed, every night, I email them," she said. "I'm just so proud of them."
The revelations come as Meghan has expanded her media presence with projects including her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, her new brand As Ever, and her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder. Some analysts have suggested the couple are in a difficult transition phase as they attempt to reshape their public identities outside of the royal family.
