Holding On to the Sussex Title
Although Meghan and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020, she continues to use her HRH title in subtle ways. In April, she was spotted using the HRH styling on a gift card—despite Queen Elizabeth II’s prior instruction that the couple should not use those titles as non-working royals.
On her Netflix cooking series With Love, Meghan, the duchess even corrected actress Mindy Kaling for calling her “Meghan Markle.” “It’s so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now,” she told Kaling, explaining that sharing her name with her children “means so much” to her family identity.
Criticism Over Her “Luxury” Image
The tote bag incident came just days after Meghan faced online backlash for sharing a glossy video of her designer wardrobe and shoe collection, posted hours after she and Harry were named Humanitarians of the Year at a New York mental health gala.
Critics called the video “tone-deaf,” with one writing, “Such compassionate humanitarians—staying in luxury hotels, flying private, showing off shoes we can’t afford. Maybe donate instead.”
Despite the criticism, her supporters rallied behind her. “Meghan is an amazing person and allowed to share whatever videos she wants to,” one fan commented.
Whether it’s her fashion choices or her continued use of royal titles, Meghan Markle continues to spark fascination and debate. Her monogrammed DS tote may have been a simple accessory—but for many, it reignited the ongoing conversation about how far the Duchess has, or hasn’t, stepped away from royal life.
