Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly banned Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, from using their post-royal brand “Sussex Royal.”
According to a report from the Daily Mail published Tuesday, the Queen decided after “lengthy and complex talks” that it was improper for the couple to use the word “royal” in their branding.
“Harry and Meghan have spent tens of thousands of pounds on a new Sussex Royal website to complement their hugely popular Instagram feed,” the report noted. “They have also sought to register Sussex Royal as a global trademark for a range of items and activities, including clothing, stationery, books and teaching materials.”
Even the couple’s charitable organization, “Sussex Royal, The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” uses the now-banned word, the Daily Mail highlighted.
Harry and Meghan, who announced in January that they would no longer be carrying out their royal duties, will now have to change their Instagram, website, and charity name, it seems.
The @SussexRoyal Instagram page currently has 11.2 million-plus followers.
SussexRoyal.com, Harry and Meghan’s site, has an “update” that was posted on January 18, promising upcoming changes to the site, seemingly in-line with their renounced titles:
Update: 18th of January 2020
In line with the statement by Her Majesty The Queen, information on the roles and work of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be updated on this website in due course. We appreciate your patience and invite you to explore the site to see the current works of Their Royal Highnesses.
About a week after the couple dropped the shocking bombshell on the Queen, her majesty financially cut off Harry and Meghan and stripped them of their titles.
The Daily Wire reported, “Queen Elizabeth II pulled the trigger on the exiting royals, announcing that the couple will have their ‘His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness’ titles stripped, as well as be financially cut off from royal funds, effective this spring.”
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family,” the Queen said in a statement, adding that she “support[s] their wish for a more independent life.”
“I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family,” the statement continued.
The Queen concluded, “It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”
“Prince Harry is losing his military titles and patronages including Captain General Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant Royal Air Force Honington and Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command: Commodore in Chief,” ABC News reported at the time. “He will also no longer be a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. Harry and Meghan will keep their roles at the Queen’s Commonwealth Truth – Harry serves as president and Meghan is vice-president.”
Moreover, according to a statement issued by the palace, it was stated that Harry and Meghan will “repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home.”