Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s “disrespectful” comments about the Royal Family — which allegedly included a veiled jab at the late Queen — continue to stir outrage across Britain.
The controversy has resurfaced amid renewed debate over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step back from royal duties, following King Charles’ recent move to remove Prince Andrew’s remaining titles.
Critics accuse Meghan of continuing to profit from her royal past through her lifestyle brand. In a recent promotional clip for her Christmas collection, eagle-eyed viewers noticed a blue notebook embossed with her royal cypher — the letter M topped with a crown, a symbol unveiled before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. She also released a new candle, No. 519, referencing their May 19 wedding date, described as being “inspired by the ease and joy of her most cherished day.”
Royal watchers have questioned why the couple continues to use royal imagery despite their repeated criticism of the monarchy. Author Tom Bower said that palace insiders have long suspected the Sussexes’ intent was to “monetise the monarchy,” a theory strengthened by their reaction to being blocked from using the “SussexRoyal” name.
The rift reportedly deepened in February 2020 when Harry and Meghan issued a 1,100-word statement after the Queen ruled they could no longer use the “Royal” title. The pair wrote, “While there is no jurisdiction by the monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ moving forward.”
Bower described the statement as “spiteful” and “rude to the Queen,” claiming it exposed the couple’s simmering frustration toward other family members, including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
When the couple officially stepped down as senior royals on March 31, 2020, they pledged not to use their HRH titles for profit. Yet weeks later, Harry appeared at a high-profile JP Morgan event in Miami — reportedly earning around $1 million. Palace officials were said to be “stunned,” viewing the appearance as a direct contradiction of his assurances.
Bower commented, “This was exactly the kind of commercialisation of the monarchy the family had hoped to avoid.”
Harry and Meghan first launched the “Sussex Royal” brand in 2019 after separating their household from Prince William and Princess Kate’s Kensington Royal team. Their Instagram account quickly gained over 11 million followers — matching William and Kate’s numbers.
However, after the Queen’s intervention, the couple was forced to abandon the brand. “It was inevitable,” one insider told The Mail. “Their plan to be half-in, half-out working royals was never sustainable. They are much loved, but once they chose a commercial path, they could no longer market themselves as royals.”
Now, five years later, the fallout from that decision continues to cast a shadow — with many in Britain still viewing the couple’s words and actions as a sign of disrespect toward the late Queen and the institution she represented.