Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has once again found herself at the center of controversy after allegedly breaching a royal agreement by using her “Her Royal Highness” (HRH) title on a personal gift card. The incident, which came to light in late April 2025, has sparked heated debates among royal watchers and insiders, with some accusing Meghan of disrespecting the terms set by the late Queen Elizabeth II when she and Prince Harry stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020. As of May 2025, the fallout from this revelation continues to highlight the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the British royal family, raising questions about Meghan’s intentions and the future of their royal titles.

The Incident: A Gift Card That Stirred Controversy

The controversy erupted when Meghan appeared on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast on April 28, 2025. During the episode, host Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics and a friend of Meghan’s, shared a heartwarming anecdote about a gift basket she received from the Duchess about a year prior. The basket, which contained homemade strawberry sauce, organic ice cream, flowers, and mint, was accompanied by a thank-you card that read, “with the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.” Kern Lima explained that the gesture came at a time when she was feeling overwhelmed, and Meghan’s thoughtful gift helped “lighten her load.”

While the story was intended to showcase Meghan’s kindness, the use of the HRH title on the card raised eyebrows. When Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as working royals in January 2020—a move dubbed “Megxit”—they agreed to stop using their HRH titles publicly, as outlined in a statement from Buckingham Palace: “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal family.” The agreement, solidified during the Sandringham Summit on January 13, 2020, was meant to prevent the couple from leveraging their royal status for commercial or public purposes while allowing them to retain their titles in a private capacity.

The revelation of the gift card, however, has led to accusations that Meghan violated this agreement. Royal author Ingrid Seward, speaking to The Sun, expressed strong disapproval, stating, “If her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, were still around, she would be highly offended, as she was very sensitive about that.” Seward added that the Queen had previously removed HRH titles from Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, emphasizing the importance of adhering to protocol. The use of the title, even on a personal gift, has been interpreted by some as a subtle attempt to maintain royal prestige, especially given Meghan’s recent business ventures.

Meghan’s Defense: A Personal Gesture, Not a Commercial Move

In response to the backlash, sources close to Meghan and Harry swiftly defended the Duchess. A spokesperson for the couple told Newsweek that the use of the HRH title was not a breach of the agreement, as it was part of a “private, personal gift” and not used for commercial purposes. According to People magazine, the note was “not a business move,” but rather a heartfelt gesture from Meghan to her friend. The Sussexes’ team emphasized that while Harry and Meghan retain their HRH titles, they have adhered to the agreement by refraining from using them in public or commercial contexts since 2020.

Meghan herself has not directly addressed the controversy, but her comments on the podcast provided context for the gift. She explained that she made the strawberry sauce quickly because she had an abundance of strawberries at the time, adding, “I just knew that even if we never talked about it, that it would brighten your day.” The podcast also offered a glimpse into Meghan’s personal life, with her reflecting on her relationship with Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet. She described the early days of their romance as filled with “butterflies,” but noted that they were quickly thrust “into the trenches” by media scrutiny, a subtle nod to the challenges they faced as a royal couple.

A History of Tension: The Sandringham Agreement and Beyond

The use of the HRH title is particularly contentious because it directly relates to the terms of the Sussexes’ departure from royal duties. The Sandringham Summit, held at Queen Elizabeth II’s estate in Norfolk, was a pivotal moment in the “Megxit” saga. Attended by the Queen, then-Prince Charles, Prince William, and Harry (with Meghan participating remotely from Canada), the summit addressed the couple’s desire to step back from their roles while maintaining some connection to the royal family. The resulting agreement allowed Harry and Meghan to retain their HRH titles but prohibited their active use, alongside other stipulations such as relinquishing official military appointments and withdrawing from the Royal Rota media system.

Since then, the Sussexes have faced ongoing scrutiny over their adherence to this agreement. In September 2020, they were criticized for urging Americans to vote in the U.S. presidential election during a Time 100 special, a move some royal aides viewed as a violation of the royal family’s tradition of political neutrality. More recently, Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, and her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, have drawn accusations of “cashing in” on her royal status, despite her efforts to establish an independent career. A Fox News report from April 2025 quoted royal expert Duncan Larcombe, who claimed that Meghan’s success with As Ever—which sold out products like wildflower honey in under five minutes—represented her “effectively cashing in on her fame,” a concern the royal family had from the start.

The gift card incident has further fueled these criticisms. Some royal insiders, as reported by The Daily Mail, argue that Meghan’s actions blur the lines between personal and commercial use, especially since the podcast episode indirectly promoted her As Ever brand. Prominent influencer Elizabeth Holmes, who has 200,000 Instagram followers, also revealed that Meghan sent similar gift packages to influencers, complete with handwritten notes embossed with her personal royal cypher—a letter “M” with a crown—raising questions about whether these gestures were truly personal or part of a broader marketing strategy.

Royal Reactions: A Brewing Storm

The incident has reportedly caused frustration within the royal family, particularly with Prince William. Sources told The Times of India that William is “furious” and considering further steps to ensure the HRH title is no longer available to Meghan and Harry, a move that could escalate tensions. Royal expert Kinsey Schofield, speaking to Fox News on May 2, 2025, claimed that William has been strategizing about stripping the couple of their titles, though such a decision would require approval from the monarch and potentially an act of Parliament. Schofield noted that Meghan’s use of the HRH title “doesn’t sit well with William,” describing it as a violation of the Sandringham Agreement.

Other royal commentators have been more critical. An insider quoted by GB News called Meghan’s actions a “clear contravention of the agreements made during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure as working royals,” suggesting that she is “clearly trading on her royal connections” to promote her brand. This sentiment echoes broader criticisms of the Sussexes, who have been accused of leveraging their titles for profit since stepping back. Their Netflix deal, which ends in 2025, has produced mixed results—while Harry & Meghan (2022) was a hit, other projects like Harry’s Polo docuseries and Meghan’s With Love, Meghan have faced lukewarm reception, with critics calling the latter “out of touch” for its focus on luxury.

A Deeper Context: Bias and Double Standards

While the criticism of Meghan’s use of the HRH title is rooted in the terms of the Sandringham Agreement, it’s impossible to ignore the broader context of her treatment as a biracial woman in the royal spotlight. Since her marriage to Harry in 2018, Meghan has faced relentless scrutiny, often tinged with racial and gender bias. In their 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, the couple revealed that a royal family member expressed “concerns” about their son Archie’s skin color, a revelation that highlighted the racism Meghan endured. This history makes the current controversy more complex, as the intensity of the backlash may reflect not just a breach of protocol but also underlying prejudices.

Meghan’s defenders argue that the reaction to the gift card is disproportionate. The Sussexes’ spokesperson clarified that the couple has not used their titles for commercial gain, and the gift to Kern Lima was a private gesture, not a public statement. Comparatively, other non-working royals, like Prince Andrew, also retain their HRH titles but do not use them in an official capacity, a parallel that suggests Meghan is being held to a higher standard. Posts on X in April 2025 reflected divided opinions—while some users, like @BarkJack_, questioned whether anything would come of the incident, others accused Meghan of showing “zero regard for the monarchy,” with one user even calling for William to strip the couple’s titles entirely.

What’s Next for Meghan and Harry?

As of May 2025, the controversy shows no signs of abating. Meghan has continued to focus on her entrepreneurial ventures, with As Ever gaining traction despite the criticism. Her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which premiered in March 2025, has been a lightning rod for debate, with some praising her authenticity and others slamming its perceived elitism. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan’s efforts to support causes like Ukraine—highlighted by a letter from Ukraine’s vice president addressing them as “Your Royal Highness”—have been overshadowed by the title debate, with some accusing Meghan of strategically testing the waters to reclaim her royal status.

The incident underscores the delicate balance Meghan and Harry must strike as they navigate their post-royal lives. While they’ve expressed a desire for independence, their royal titles remain a double-edged sword, offering prestige but also inviting scrutiny. Whether this controversy will lead to concrete action from the royal family—such as William’s rumored push to strip their titles—remains uncertain. For now, Meghan’s use of the HRH title on a simple gift card has reignited a firestorm, proving that even the smallest gestures can have royal repercussions.

Conclusion: A Royal Dilemma

Meghan Markle’s alleged violation of the royal agreement by using her HRH title on a personal gift card has once again thrust her into the spotlight, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the British royal family. While her defenders argue that the gesture was a private act of kindness, critics see it as a breach of trust, accusing her of leveraging her royal status for personal gain. The controversy, amplified by Meghan’s identity as a biracial woman and the royal family’s history of bias, raises broader questions about fairness, protocol, and the challenges of transitioning from royal life.

As Meghan and Harry continue to build their independent empire in California, incidents like these serve as a reminder of the scrutiny they face at every turn. Whether they can move beyond these controversies and redefine their legacy on their own terms remains to be seen, but for now, the royal agreement—and the titles tied to it—continues to cast a long shadow over their journey.