Much like everything associated with Meghan Markle, her title has become a controversial issue since she and Prince Harry stepped down as working royals in 2020.
From drama’s over whether Sussex is her title or surname, to questions over her HRH status, here is everything you need to know…
What is Meghan Markle’s title now?
On her 2018 wedding day to Prince Harry, Meghan became the Duchess of Sussex.
The title was a gift to Harry on the day, from his grandmother Queen Elizabeth, who died in 2022.
When Harry and Meghan moved to LA, some critics called for them to be stripped of their titles, but this has not happened and they are allowed to use them.
Removing them is not something King Charles could do if he were inclined and would require an Act of Parliament, with a statute passed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
So, most agree this is something that is unlikely to ever happen.
Is Meghan Markle allowed to use HRH?
When Meghan and Harry stepped down from being working royals in 2020, they made an agreement with Queen Elizabeth over the usage of their HRH titles.
The abbreviation stands for His/Her Royal Highness and is a status that is used in addition to a title for the most senior members of the royal family.
It is something that the Prince and Princess of Wales use to show off their high status within the family.
While Meghan and Harry’s HRH status was not technically removed by the late Queen, it was understood that moving ahead, this was not something they would use.
“The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal family,” said a statement from Buckingham Palace after the Sandringham Summit.
The couple were also stripped of their patronages and Harry’s honorary military titles after a trial year off once they decided not to return to the UK.
However, the aspiring business mogul caused a stir in April 2025 after she was spotted using HRH title on a gift card.
“With the compliments of HRH, Duchess of Sussex,” read the card which was sent to podcaster Jamie Kern Lima.
Meghan’s team have since come out to say that she is not using the honorific; however, during the podcast, Lima said she received the gift “about a year ago”, which is well after their agreement was reached with Queen Elizabeth.
