Duke and Duchess Drop Royal Highness Styles

Starting in the spring of 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, agreed to stop using their “His/Her Royal Highness” (HRH) titles in any official or public capacity. The arrangement formed part of the terms set out by Buckingham Palace following the couple’s decision to step back as senior working members of the British Royal Family. Although Prince Harry retains his HRH status by birth and Meghan Markle by marriage, the agreement specified that they would not actively use these titles moving forward. This distinction reflected a broader shift in their roles, as they no longer carried out official duties or represented the monarchy. The change aligned with other conditions of their transition, including the cessation of public funding through the Sovereign Grant and the relinquishment of formal royal responsibilities. The adjustment took effect on 31/03/2020, marking the official end of their roles as working royals. From that point onward, the couple began operating independently, focusing on private ventures, media projects, and philanthropic initiatives through their Archewell organization and other partnerships. The decision regarding the HRH titles was one element of a wider agreement designed to clearly separate their future activities from official royal functions while preserving certain formal aspects of their status within the royal family.