An enraged Prince William reportedly plans to strip Meghan Markle and Prince Harry of their HRH titles once he inherits the British throne from King Charles III.
“Charles might be happy to put up with this, but William won’t,” a royal insider told the Daily Beast, reportedly referring to Markle’s use of her HRH title alongside her lifestyle products, including a pricey jam.
“He loathes and despises Harry and Meghan with every bone in his body, he believes they have betrayed everything the family stands for and the idea that they are using their royal status as a calling card will enrage him.”
The source claimed Markle is in violation of an agreement with the late Queen Elizabeth II in using the HRH title — which stands for “Her Royal Highness” — in promotion of her personal brand, As Ever.
Following a podcast interview on Monday, Markle signed a gift basket — containing “homemade strawberry sauce” — for host Jamie Kern Lima with the HRH title.
A note accompanying the gift basket read, “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.” Both the note and basket were later seen on Kern Lima’s podcast.
A friend of Prince William’s insisted that in continuing to use the HRH title, Markle is exploiting King Charles’ weakness.
“Charles has completely lost control,” the insider said in part, adding that it’s “apparent” that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have “every intention of making his final years a misery.”
“Meghan using her HRH exposes how weak and enfeebled he is,” they continued. “She knows he won’t do anything. There is no way King William will stand for this. The titles will simply be removed when he is king. A way will be found.”
A source for Markle denied that the mom of two is in violation of the agreement as the basket was a “personal gift.”
“Harry and Meghan retain their HRH titles; however, by agreement, they do not use them for commercial purposes,” the source said. “While they do not publicly use ‘HRH,’ this was a personal gift, and their titles remain.”
A former courtier told the Daily Beast that Markle’s defense was “rubbish” and that the terms of their exit from royal duties “made it clear they had agreed not to use the HRH titles at all, ever, in any capacity.”
The official, publicly available statement on the couple’s exit from royal life appears to corroborate the courtier’s comments.
“With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations,” the statement on the couple’s retreat from royal life reads.
“While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”
It pointedly adds, “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
Kensington Palace and representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately responds to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Harry and Meghan famously left their roles as senior royals to move to southern California in 2020.
Since then, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have welcomed children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, and built a life for themselves on a sprawling estate in Montecito.
Markle, 43, launched her Netflix series “With Love, Meghan” in March and officially debuted her lifestyle brand, As Ever, on April 2. Already sold-out products include raspberry spread, lemon ginger tea, edible flower sprinkles and shortbread cookie mix.
Despite criticism, Markle’s Netflix hit has been renewed for a second season.
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