This adjustment aligns with the terms outlined in the 2020 Megxit agreement. As per this agreement, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were permitted to retain their HRH titles but were prohibited from actively using them after stepping down from their roles as senior Royals. However, some sections of the Royal website have inadvertently referred to Harry with the HRH title over the past three years.
Royal author Richard Fitzwilliams remarked, "There have been several alterations on the Royal website, with the Sussexes now being positioned below the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra. This shift is indicative of the Royal family's intent to distance themselves from the couple, whom they may perceive as unpredictable and unreliable due to evident reasons."
Fitzwilliams suggested that these alterations provide fresh evidence of the Sussexes' need to demonstrate their capability to thrive outside the Royal family. While they still possess their titles, their brand is inherently tied to their Royal identity. The crux of their challenge lies in showcasing their creativity and independence.
Interestingly, Meghan Markle's official Royal biography shed her HRH title three years ago, yet remnants remained in some corners of the Royal website, including a quote from a speech she gave in 2019. This development is the latest in a series of incidents that have cast a shadow on the couple's standing. They recently lost a lucrative Spotify deal, faced criticism from a senior executive, and encountered a decline in public support.
To recap, on January 18, 2020, Buckingham Palace declared that the Sussexes would no longer employ their HRH titles since they were no longer functioning as active members of the Royal family. The Royal website has undergone further adjustments as well. For instance, Meghan is now referred to as 'she' or 'The Duchess' in the section detailing the Royal family's background and duties. Megan's education, career, and Royal engagements have been relocated to a dedicated biography section, while her philanthropic activities now find mention in the charitable work segment.
The Sussexes have chosen to maintain their Sussex Duke and Duchess titles, publicly adopting them as part of their identity. Several other discrepancies on the website have also been rectified, including an erroneous reference that implied Prince Harry was a five-year-old Prince Louis.
In a rare occurrence, Harry appeared in court documents this year with his full title, 'HRH The Prince Henry Charles Albert David,' a usage that he's not allowed to make. However, his defenders noted that this is a convention observed in court documents where full names are typically used.
