Meghan Markle reignites royal tensions by sending food hamper labeled with HRH title from her California home

Meghan Markle has stirred the pot once again, this time with the ongoing use of her HRH (Her Royal Highness) title, something that might have irked the late Queen Elizabeth.

Despite stepping back from royal duties, Meghan has reportedly continued to refer to herself as “Her Royal Highness” in private settings.

This has raised eyebrows, especially given her past commitment to relinquishing royal titles as part of the Megxit agreement.

The HRH Controversy

A recent photo shared by Meghan’s friend, Jamie Kern Lima, showed a gift basket with a note that read, “With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”

This sparked controversy, as many believe it contradicts the terms of Meghan and Harry’s departure from the royal family.

Though a spokesman for the Sussexes quickly denied any use of HRH for commercial gain, sources close to the family confirm that Meghan still uses the title in personal correspondence with friends.

The Queen’s Stance on HRH Titles

Royal experts, including Ingrid Seward, biographer and editor of Majesty Magazine, suggest that the Queen would have been offended by this behavior.

Queen Elizabeth, who had strong feelings about maintaining the integrity of royal titles, reportedly told Meghan and Harry they could keep their HRH titles but should not use them in public or for commercial purposes.

Ingrid Seward noted, “If Queen Elizabeth were still here, she would be highly offended by this.”

A Long-Standing Practice?

It turns out that this is not the first time Meghan has used this title.

A similar note, marked with the royal cypher, was sent to novelist Matt Haig six years ago after Meghan invited him to contribute to a British Vogue issue she guest-edited.

The note from Kensington Palace at that time is described as identical to the one recently sent with the ice cream and jam.

Although the frequency of Meghan’s use of HRH since that time is unknown, it’s clear that the title remains a part of her private life.

The Sussexes’ agreement with the Queen, which officially ended their role as senior royals in 2020, required them to stop using “Royal” in their titles.

However, it was never stipulated that they could not keep their HRH titles, merely that they shouldn’t use them publicly.

The Media Attention

This controversy took another turn when Jamie Kern Lima’s podcast featured the image of the gift basket, which included Meghan’s homemade strawberry jam and organic ice cream.

Critics have speculated that the timing of the image might suggest a subtle promotion of Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever.

Although Kern Lima claimed the jam was sent last year, the image came out just after the brand’s launch in March, raising suspicions of ulterior motives.

Reactions from Royal Fans

Royal enthusiasts were quick to comment on the image circulating online, with many expressing their disapproval.

One user posted, “I thought they couldn’t use HRH?” while another added, “She’s not supposed to use it, per the Queen!”

The backlash is a clear indication that public sentiment is divided on Meghan’s use of her royal title.

What the Sussexes Have Said

In their defense, the Sussexes’ spokesperson reaffirmed that they no longer use HRH titles for commercial purposes.

However, they did clarify that Meghan and Harry still hold their HRH titles, even though they have not used them publicly since stepping down as senior royals.

This statement offers a glimpse into the complicated relationship between the couple and the monarchy.

A Glimpse Into Meghan’s Life Today

In addition to this controversy, Meghan recently opened up on her podcast about her family life in Montecito, California.

She revealed the sweet tradition of emailing her children, Archie and Lilibet, every day to create a “time capsule” for them to revisit when they’re older.

During the podcast, Meghan shared an emotional letter from her kids, expressing their love for her, which deeply moved her.

Meghan also discussed her relationship with Harry, describing how their bond has deepened over time.

Reflecting on their early days together, she said, “At the beginning, it’s all butterflies… but we immediately went into the trenches together.”

Now, seven years later, she feels their relationship is in a “honeymoon period” again, highlighting their enduring connection.

The Ongoing Story

As Meghan and Harry continue to carve out their new life in California, the question remains: what’s next for the couple and their connection to the royal family?

While they have distanced themselves from their former roles, the debate over their use of royal titles seems far from over.

It will be interesting to see how the couple navigates their public image moving forward and whether they’ll continue to spark controversy with their royal ties.