When Meghan Markle walked onto the set of MasterChef Australia and said, "Just call me Meghan," royal observers noted a shift in tone. After six years of branding deals under the Sussex title, the request seemed to align with Queen Elizabeth II's 2020 wish that the couple not monetise their royal status. Yet the gesture rings hollow, writes commentator Emily Wright.
Selective Use of a Royal Title
Queen Elizabeth II granted Harry and Meghan the Dukedom of Sussex at their 2018 wedding as an honour tied to public service. When the couple stepped back as senior royals in 2020, the Sandringham Summit agreement included a crucial condition: royal titles should not be used for private financial gain. Since then, the "Duchess" title has appeared on Spotify podcasts, Netflix series, and lifestyle brands, serving as a global door-opener. Using it selectively for TV clout, Wright argues, insults the late Queen's memory.
Constitutional Reality Behind the TV Stunt
Under British royal protocol, a peerage title is not a removable accessory. A dukedom is a legal grant from the Crown; discarding it on a cooking show changes nothing. Officially removing it requires an Act of Parliament or the King's prerogative. Even a divorce does not strip the title—Meghan would become Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, like Sarah, Duchess of York after her divorce. If the title were revoked, she would technically become Princess Henry, as she was not born a royal. This means that no matter how casually she asks to be called "just Meghan," the constitutional structure remains intact.
Comparison with Diana and Catherine
The same rules apply to other royal wives. Diana, after her divorce, lost her HRH and became Diana, Princess of Wales. Catherine began as Duchess of Cambridge before becoming Princess of Wales. Neither was born a princess, but both took their husband's highest title upon marriage.
A Genuine Change or a TV Role?
Wright questions whether the "just call me Meghan" approach signals a real commitment to honouring Queen Elizabeth's wishes or is simply a former actress playing a role for Australian television. Until the title is also left out of her business ventures, observers remain skeptical.
