Meghan Markle has caused a stir by breaking a royal protocol with a significant social media title blunder on her newly launched Instagram account.
The account name is listed as "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex" instead of the traditional "Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex," which has raised eyebrows. The subtle difference in style is typically used by former royal family members who have lost their titles following a divorce.
Although Meghan and Prince Harry announced their decision to step back from royal duties in January 2020, they did not lose their titles. They remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, though they are no longer addressed as His or Her Royal Highness. Prince Harry, still fifth in line to the British throne, also gave up his military titles following the decision.
This style of title usage follows the pattern of other royals, such as Sarah Ferguson, who is referred to as "Sarah, Duchess of York" after her divorce from Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. Similarly, after her separation from Prince Charles, Princess Diana was known as "Diana, Princess of Wales" as she no longer held the title of "the" Princess of Wales.
Meghan's Instagram debut, made on New Year's Day, featured three posts under the handle @meghan. One of the posts, a reel filmed by Prince Harry, showed the Duchess running along a beach in white jeans and a shirt. She used her finger to write “2025” in the sand near the couple’s home in Montecito, California, where they live with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
In addition to her personal moments, Meghan shared the first trailer for her upcoming Netflix series, *With Love, Meghan*, and posted a heartfelt tribute to her late beagle, Guy, who passed away in early January.
The account has already gained 1.5 million followers, although no other members of the royal family have followed it. Previously, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a joint Instagram account, @Sussexroyal, but it has remained inactive since their announcement about stepping back from their royal duties.
