Featured Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Image/Archewell Foundation
Topics: Royal Family, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, News
Kya Buller
Topics: Royal Family, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, News
The internet has been having somewhat of a meltdown ever since Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle sent fans their annual virtual Christmas card, which included the use of their royal titles.
Harry, the son of King Charles, and Meghan Markle, tied the knot in 2018.
The marriage led to the two receiving the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The two stepped away from their royal duties in 2020 following a decline in Markle's mental health as a result of relentless public scrutiny.
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In a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, she also claimed an unnamed member of the Royal family had questioned her, a woman of colour, on the probable skin tone of her forthcoming child, Archie.
The two relocated to Los Angeles and are no longer referred to as His or Her Royal Highness' (HRH), but retained their titles as the Duke and Duchess.
The Christmas card, which includes six photos of the Sussexes at work and stretching their arms out while playing with Archie and his sister, Lilibet, bears the message: "On behalf of the office of Prince Harry & Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation.
"We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year."
Speaking exclusively to Tyla on behalf of SpinGenie, royal expert Grant Harrold weighed in on the use of their royal titles despite no longer being working members of the Royal family.
He said: "It is their title, it’s a bit like Mr and Mrs, it’s very formal, I will say that.
"It is quite a formal way to do something. They’ve got every right to use them, they’re still their titles."
Harrold continued: "HRH was what they agreed to drop, but technically they can still use this. The choice of using this, it’s more an official business approach, if you like.
"They’re technically still members of the Royal family, just not working members of the Royal family. Every other Duke and Duchess in the country will use their titles on official Christmas cards."
Another detail picked up on by spectators is that Archie and Lilibet's faces aren't visible on the card, instead being photographed from the back.
A source close to Prince Harry told People: "Harry has been reluctant to show his children publicly, not out of a desire to hide them but to protect their privacy and safety from potential threats.
"He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm."