The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: A Look at Their Life Post-Royal Exit
In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines when they stepped down from their senior royal positions, choosing to carve out an independent life away from the British monarchy. Despite their departure, the couple continues to identify themselves as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, even though the late Queen Elizabeth II had stipulated that they could no longer use their ‘HRH’ titles.
Meghan Markle recently made a subtle yet striking statement about her connection to the royal family through her choice of jewelry. Known for her love of pinky rings, the Duchess debuted a new signet ring during her appearance at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf. The ring, worn on her right-hand pinky finger, features the couple’s royal monogram—a symbol first introduced in 2018 following their wedding.
The monogram, crafted in elegant cursive, combines the letters ‘H’ and ‘M’ beneath a coronet adorned with two cross pattées, four fleurs-de-lys, and two strawberry leaves. According to *People Magazine*, Prince Harry gifted this meaningful piece to Meghan for their sixth wedding anniversary last year. The ring was custom-made by a private jeweler, adding a personal touch to the sentimental gesture.
While Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the royal family, their choice to incorporate royal symbols into their lives suggests they still see themselves as part of the British monarchy. However, their relationship with the royal family remains strained. Despite a brief 30-minute meeting between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles III, last year—amid the King’s cancer diagnosis—there has been no further contact between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals.
The couple’s decision to step back from royal duties has sparked ongoing debates about their place within the monarchy. While they continue to embrace certain royal traditions, their independent path and commercial ventures, such as Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, highlight their efforts to build a life outside the royal framework.
As the years pass, the rift between the Sussexes and the royal family shows no signs of healing. Yet, through symbolic gestures like Meghan’s royal monogram ring, the couple subtly reaffirms their connection to the institution they once served. Their story remains a fascinating chapter in the ongoing evolution of the British monarchy.
