A royal branding expert called Meghan and Harry's retention of the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex a "hollow gesture".
In March 2020, the couple stepped down from senior royal duties and moved to Meghan's hometown of California. They were deprived of the right to use the title of Their Highness and lost various other identities since they confirmed that they would not return to the royal family.
But the couple could continue to use the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex in public life, even though they drew criticism from both sides of the Atlantic.
She noted that when Harry's father, Charles, succeeded to the throne, Harry and Meghan could not even keep the titles of duke and duchess.
She commented: "I don't think it makes much sense. ”
"If you're not involved in the royal family, you can't use the title of Your Highness, and the Queen has said to you, 'Well, if you don't want to participate, don't participate.'" ”
There has long been speculation that Charles plans to establish a "slimmed-down" monarchy when establishing the direction of his rule.
She went on to question Meghan and Harry's pursuit of royal status, which she believed pointed to "the whole ambiguity of the Sussex brand."
"Since it is not clear what these titles really mean, behind the mere possession of them, using them gives an empty posture."
"They get some superficial benefits from it. But if you're not Your Highness, what does that mean? If you give up the property that the Queen has given you, I don't even know what that means. ”