The Ongoing Royal Title Controversy
Meghan Markle, despite being a resident of Montecito, California, continues to use her formal title as the Duchess of Sussex, reigniting discussions about the couple's relationship with the monarchy. This comes despite their highly publicised separation from royal duties and relocation to the United States, a country without a monarchy.
The Harper's Bazaar Revelation
The debate was recently fuelled by a cover story in Harper's Bazaar, which featured an intriguing detail about the duchess. The magazine's writer noted that during an interview at a friend's luxury New York home, the house manager formally announced, 'Meghan, Duchess of Sussex', despite there being virtually no one else present. This incident has sparked questions about why someone so keen to 'author her own next chapter' remains attached to a title inherited through marriage from an institution she appears to criticise.
This is not the first time the couple has faced such questions. In a 2023 interview with Anderson Cooper, Prince Harry was directly asked why they didn't renounce their titles. His response, 'What difference would that make?', did little to quell the public's curiosity.
Accolades Versus Responsibilities
The controversy extends beyond titles to accolades. The Harper's Bazaar profile revealed that the couple's trip to New York was to receive the Humanitarians of the Year award from a mental health non-profit organisation. While acknowledging that the pair have done good work raising awareness for important causes, critics question whether they deserve such a prestigious title when countless underpaid humanitarian workers risk their lives in war zones.
The core issue many observers identify is a perceived pattern: Harry and Meghan seem enthusiastic about the privileges and honours associated with royalty, but less so about the traditional responsibilities and grunt work that typically accompany them. This has led to ongoing public scrutiny of their choices and public persona.
