Royal Family LIVE: Meghan Markle savaged over ‘idiotic’ move on royal title
The Duchess of Sussex has found herself at the centre of a fresh controversy after a royal commentator brutally criticised her continued use of her royal title in professional settings.
Meghan Markle’s appearance in Harper’s Bazaar magazine has reignited debates about her relationship with the Royal Family and whether she should still be using the prestigious title she acquired through marriage to Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle’s Harper’s Bazaar Interview Sparks Royal Title Debate
The controversy erupted following the Duchess of Sussex’s feature interview with US magazine Harper’s Bazaar, where she graced the cover of the prestigious publication’s December 2025/January 2026 art issue.
According to sources familiar with the interview, Meghan reportedly insists on being addressed by her royal title, even in semi-formal settings, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from royal watchers and commentators alike.
Royal expert and commentator Richard Fitzwilliams did not mince words when discussing Meghan’s continued attachment to her ducal title. Speaking to various media outlets, he described the move as “idiotic” and questioned why the Duchess continues to leverage her connection to the British Royal Family despite having stepped back from royal duties alongside Prince Harry in 2020.
“It’s quite extraordinary that she continues to use the title in such a deliberate manner,” Fitzwilliams noted. “After everything that has transpired between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, one would think there would be some desire to establish an independent identity separate from the institution they have been so critical of.”
The History Behind Meghan’s Royal Title
When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, she automatically became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, and Baroness Kilkeel. The titles were bestowed upon the couple by Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift, following long-standing royal tradition.
However, the situation became considerably more complicated in January 2020 when the couple announced their intention to step back as senior working members of the Royal Family.
The announcement, which came to be known as “Megxit,” sent shockwaves through the monarchy and sparked intense debate about the couple’s future role within the institution.
Following extensive negotiations with Buckingham Palace, it was agreed that Harry and Meghan would no longer use their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) styles in any official capacity.
However, they retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, though they were not permitted to use them for commercial purposes or in conjunction with their various business ventures.
Royal Commentators Weigh In on Title Controversy
The backlash against Meghan’s continued use of her royal title has been swift and severe among certain circles of royal commentators and critics.
Many argue that the Duchess cannot have it both ways – enjoying the prestige and recognition that comes with royal connections while simultaneously criticising the institution and living independently in California.
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Angela Levin, another prominent royal biographer, echoed similar sentiments. “The issue here is one of consistency,” she explained in a recent interview.
“Meghan and Harry have been very vocal about the difficulties they experienced within the Royal Family, the alleged racism, the lack of support for mental health issues. Yet, Meghan continues to use the very title that connects her to that institution.”
The controversy has been particularly pronounced in the UK, where public opinion on the Sussexes remains deeply divided.
According to recent polling data, approximately 65% of British adults hold a negative view of Meghan Markle, with many citing her treatment of the Royal Family and her continued use of the duchess title as key factors in their disapproval.
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The Harper’s Bazaar Feature: What We Know
The Harper’s Bazaar interview and photoshoot represents one of Meghan’s highest-profile magazine appearances in recent months. The art issue, which traditionally features influential figures from the creative industries, positions the Duchess as a cultural icon and philanthropist rather than simply a former working royal.
Sources close to the production revealed that Meghan’s team specifically requested that she be referred to as “The Duchess of Sussex” throughout the piece, even in less formal portions of the interview.
This insistence on the title, even in what some might consider a casual editorial context, has been cited as evidence of Meghan’s continued desire to leverage her royal connection.
The magazine feature reportedly covers a range of topics, including Meghan’s work in philanthropy, her various media projects including her Netflix productions, and her perspective on art and culture. However, it is the byline and the manner in which she is addressed throughout the piece that has generated the most controversy.
Legal and Protocol Perspectives on Royal Title Use
From a strictly legal standpoint, Meghan Markle retains every right to use her title as Duchess of Sussex. The title was legally granted to her upon marriage to Prince Harry and has not been formally revoked by the monarch. Unlike the HRH style, which the couple agreed not to use, the ducal title remains theirs by right.
Royal protocol expert Marlene Koenig explains the nuanced situation: “Technically, Meghan is the Duchess of Sussex. That is her legal title. However, there is a difference between legal entitlement and what might be considered appropriate or in good taste given the circumstances.”
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Harry and Meghan’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are permitted to use their prince and princess titles following the accession of King Charles III in 2022.
This creates a somewhat contradictory situation where the family maintains their royal titles and styles while simultaneously positioning themselves as independent from the institution.
Public Reaction and Social Media Response
The revelation about Meghan’s insistence on her royal title has generated significant discussion across social media platforms. On Twitter (now X), the hashtag #MeghanMarkle quickly began trending, with users expressing a wide range of opinions on the matter.
Supporters of the Duchess argue that she has every right to use the title that was legally bestowed upon her and that the criticism represents yet another example of the double standards and excessive scrutiny she faces.
“She earned that title through marriage, just like every other woman who has married into the Royal Family,” wrote one supporter. “Why is it suddenly a problem when Meghan does it?”
However, critics have been equally vocal, with many pointing out what they see as hypocrisy in Meghan’s approach. “You can’t trash the Royal Family at every opportunity and then cling to your royal title,” one critic posted. “It’s time to make a choice – are you royal or aren’t you?”
Historical Precedent for Royal Title Usage
The situation with Meghan and Harry’s titles is not entirely unprecedented in royal history. When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson, he was granted the title Duke of Windsor.
However, the royal family refused to grant Simpson the HRH style, and she became the Duchess of Windsor without the royal designation.
Similarly, when Princess Diana and Prince Charles divorced in 1996, Diana lost her HRH style but remained Diana, Princess of Wales until her death in 1997. Sarah Ferguson, following her divorce from Prince Andrew, became Sarah, Duchess of York, again without the HRH prefix.
The key difference in Meghan and Harry’s case is that they remain married and Prince Harry retains all his titles and styles. This makes their situation unique in modern royal history and creates a grey area in terms of protocol and expectations regarding title usage.
The Commercial Implications of Royal Titles
One of the most contentious aspects of the title debate revolves around the commercial implications of Meghan’s continued use of her duchess designation.
While the agreement reached with the Royal Family in 2020 specifically prohibited the couple from using their titles for commercial purposes, the line between personal branding and commercial exploitation can be difficult to define.
Critics argue that any use of the title in public-facing media, including magazine interviews and public appearances, effectively serves a commercial purpose by maintaining Meghan’s profile and marketability.
The Sussexes have signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify (though the Spotify deal has since ended), and Meghan has launched various business ventures, including her lifestyle brand.
Royal commentator Tom Bower, who has written critically about the Sussexes, argues that the title is integral to Meghan’s commercial value.
“Without the duchess title, Meghan Markle is simply an actress who had a moderately successful television career,” he stated. “The title is what sets her apart and gives her the platform she currently enjoys.”
The View from California: American Perspectives
Interestingly, American public opinion on Meghan’s use of her title tends to be somewhat more favourable than in the UK. Many Americans view royal titles through a different cultural lens, seeing them as honorary designations rather than indicators of active participation in a hereditary institution.
In the United States, where Meghan and Harry now reside in their Montecito, California mansion, royal titles are often perceived as glamorous rather than carrying the weight of constitutional and traditional obligations. This cultural difference may partly explain why Meghan feels comfortable continuing to use her title in American media contexts.
However, even in the US, there are critics who question the appropriateness of maintaining royal connections while living as private citizens. Some American commentators have suggested that Meghan’s approach reflects a desire to “have her cake and eat it too” – enjoying American freedom and privacy while retaining the cachet of British royalty.
Expert Analysis: The Future of Sussex Titles
Royal experts and constitutional scholars have begun speculating about the long-term future of the Sussex titles. While there is currently no indication that King Charles III intends to strip Harry and Meghan of their titles, the continued controversy surrounding their use could potentially force the issue in the future.
Under British law, only an Act of Parliament can remove a peerage title, making it a complex and politically sensitive process. The last time such action was taken was during World War I when German titles were removed from British aristocrats. Most experts consider it unlikely that such dramatic action would be taken in the current circumstances.
However, public and media pressure could potentially influence how the titles are used going forward. Some have suggested that Harry and Meghan might voluntarily relinquish their titles if the backlash becomes sufficiently intense, though there is no indication that the couple is considering such a move.
Conclusion: A Controversy That Shows No Signs of Abating
As the debate over Meghan Markle’s use of her royal title continues to rage, it seems clear that this controversy represents a microcosm of larger questions about the Sussexes’ relationship with the Royal Family and their place in public life.
The fundamental tension between wanting independence from royal constraints while maintaining royal prestige appears to be irreconcilable in the eyes of many critics.
The Harper’s Bazaar interview and the revelation about Meghan’s insistence on being addressed by her title has provided fresh ammunition for those who question the couple’s motivations and authenticity. Whether this latest controversy will have any lasting impact on public perception or the couple’s commercial ventures remains to be seen.
What is certain is that more than five years after stepping back from royal duties, Harry and Meghan continue to generate headlines and controversy wherever they turn. The title debate is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, ensuring that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain fixtures in the news cycle for the foreseeable future.
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Citations and References:
- Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, December 2025/January 2026 Art Issue
- YouGov UK Royal Approval Ratings
- Royal protocol guidelines from Buckingham Palace
- Historical royal precedents documented by royal historians