Meghan Markle is once again in hot water with royal commentators — this time for refusing to let go of her royal title and allegedly still behaving like a “princess,” despite stepping away from the British monarchy over four years ago.
Royal expert Jennie Bond has issued a scathing public takedown of the Duchess of Sussex, accusing her of “clinging” to royal status even while insisting she’s moved on.
Writing for The Sun, Bond bluntly advised Meghan that “You are an independent woman with a husband who adores you… just because he’s a prince doesn’t mean you have to hang on to the idea of being a princess.”
The criticism follows a series of eyebrow-raising moments that many believe signal Meghan’s unwillingness to distance herself from the royal brand — despite stepping down in 2020 in what became known as “Megxit.”
On her new Netflix show With Love, Meghan, the former actress introduced herself not as Meghan Markle — but as “Meghan Sussex” while chatting with her guest, Mindy Kaling. The name drop instantly caught the attention of fans and critics alike, with many questioning why she continues to align herself with her royal surname.
Things escalated further when Meghan appeared on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, where host Jamie Kern Lima revealed a posh gift basket she had received from Meghan. The basket included homemade strawberry sauce, vanilla ice cream — and a handwritten card signed, “With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
That royal signature sent critics into overdrive, especially considering Meghan and Prince Harry no longer use their “His/Her Royal Highness” (HRH) titles publicly following their exit from official royal duties.
Bond’s message for Meghan was clear: “You tried being part of the Royal Family and hated it. Time to move on, which, I think, is what this is all about.” The royal expert suggested that Meghan’s ongoing references to her title are undermining her efforts to establish a new, independent identity outside the confines of royalty.
While Harry and Meghan were allowed to retain their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles post-Megxit, they were asked not to use the HRH styling — a protocol Meghan appears to have blurred with her personalized card.
Critics are now accusing Meghan of trying to “have her cake and eat it too” — leveraging the glamor of royalty when convenient, while rejecting the rules and responsibilities that come with the title.
Fans of the duchess, however, argue that Meghan has every right to use her formal title, which was never revoked, and that Bond’s comments are just another example of the ongoing obsession with tearing her down.
Still, Meghan’s branding choices have reignited debate over whether she and Harry truly want privacy and distance from the monarchy — or whether they are continuing to benefit from the royal glow they once claimed was too suffocating to survive in.
This renewed backlash comes at a delicate time for Meghan, as she attempts to rebrand herself through lifestyle ventures, public speaking, and a return to Hollywood-style visibility. But with every royal nod — be it a title, a name, or a signature — her critics grow louder.
As one social media user quipped, “You can’t rebrand as an independent icon and still sign cards like it’s Buckingham Palace.” Whether that sentiment reflects the majority or just the vocal critics, one thing’s for certain — Meghan Markle’s royal ties remain anything but quiet.
