On Tuesday, Meghan Markle celebrated her son Archie’s sixth birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post that notably left out any royal title.
Sharing a touching photograph of Archie gazing at a stunning sunset from a balcony, the Duchess of Sussex reflected on the memorable party they threw for him just the weekend before, calling it “incredibly special.”
In her affectionate caption, Meghan wrote: “Our son. Our sun. Happy 6th birthday to Archie! Thank you for all the love, prayers, and warm wishes for our sweet boy. He’s six! Where did the time go?”
She also expressed gratitude to those who attended the celebratory event, emphasizing the warmth of the occasion.
This sweet post comes at a time when Meghan has been scrutinized for her continued use of the title “Her Royal Highness.”
A few weeks back, controversy erupted when a friend of hers, Jamie Kern Lima, shared a picture of a gift basket bearing a note that stated it was from “HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
Despite the uproar, a representative for the Sussexes defended Meghan, insisting that she is not breaching the terms set out during their exit from royal duties.
After stepping back from their royal roles in early 2020, Harry and Meghan had agreed not to use their “Royal” titles as they sought financial independence in the United States.
Critics wasted no time expressing their disappointment over the gift basket’s note, suggesting it was an inappropriate promotion for Meghan’s As Ever lifestyle brand and her podcast episode featuring Jamie.
It raised questions about the authenticity of their supposed renunciation of royal titles, especially considering they have not formally been revoked according to past statements from Buckingham Palace.
A source close to the couple mentioned that the image shared by Jamie featuring the note had been taken before Meghan’s brand launch in March, indicating that the incident could have stemmed from earlier times.
They clarified that while Meghan and Harry typically don’t publicly use “HRH,” the titles remain linked to their identities.
The podcast where Jamie Kern Lima discussed the gift basket indicated that the jam included was sent last year, further complicating the narrative around Meghan’s title use.
Sources from the Sussex camp emphasized that they do not use their HRH titles in a commercial context, although the note’s presence suggests a different reality in personal relationships.
The reveal of that note had royal watchers raising eyebrows.
Many noted that the Queen had specifically instructed Harry and Meghan not to use their titles.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward remarked that Queen Elizabeth would likely have disapproved, given her sensitivity to such matters, and hinted that with the Queen no longer around, the rules seem more tempting to bend.
This incident sparked reactions across social media, with fans voicing their frustrations.
Comments like, “I thought they couldn’t use HRH?” and “She’s not allowed to! The Queen said so!” flooded platforms, illustrating how deeply these rules resonate with the public.
Adding to the chatter, Meghan had previously shared a correspondence from the Vice President of Ukraine that also addressed her as “Your Royal Highness,” prompting more speculation and scrutiny regarding her adherence to royal protocol.
Buckingham Palace’s earlier statements made it clear: Harry and Meghan would not be utilizing their HRH titles since they were no longer active members of the Royal Family.
The Duchess’s latest birthday tribute to Archie appears to be an effort to distance herself from the controversy, focusing instead on motherhood and family.
As the debate continues, one can’t help but wonder what the future holds for the Sussexes and their relationship with royal traditions.
