Jump directly to the content

THE Queen has ordered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to drop their "Sussex Royal" label after choosing to step down as working royals, it was claimed last night.

After spending tens of thousands of pounds on a new Sussex Royal website and trademarks, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lost their fight to keep the lucrative Royal brand.

: Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex pose for a picture with some of Queen's Young Leaders at a Buckingham Palace reception following the final Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony, in London
4
The Queen has banned Meghan and Harry from using the Sussex Royal brandCredit: Reuters
 The couple's Sussex Royal brand is said to be causing issues
4
The couple's Sussex Royal brand is said to be causing issues

Harry and Meghan will have to find a new brand after lengthy talks with the Queen and senior officials means the couple can reportedly no longer use the Sussex Royal name.

A source told The : “In many ways this is inevitable given their decision to step down, but it must surely come as a blow to the couple as they have invested everything into the Sussex Royal brand.

"The Queen would have had little choice, however. The Sussexes’ original plan – of being half-in, half-out working royals – was never going to work.

“If they aren't carrying out official duties and are now seeking other commercial opportunities, they simply cannot be allowed to market themselves as royals.'”

The pair who now face rebranding their website and their charitable organisation - Sussex Royal, The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

A royal source said overnight: "As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are stepping back as senior Members of the Royal Family and will work towards financial independence, use of the word ‘Royal’, in this context, needed to be reviewed. Discussions are still ongoing."

The Sussexes’ Instagram page, @sussexroyal, has 11.2million followers and dozens of trademark applications were made for various products.

The Duke and Duchess had been busy putting the Sussex Royal stamp on a number of items from pencils to socks since June as they move towards becoming "financially independent".

They also launched a new website, which went live to coincide with their bombshell revelation.

The Queen has made clear she does not accept working Royals profiting from their royal position.

During Megxit talks Buckingham Palace officials had made it clear the use of the word “royal” would have to be evaluated.

It comes after Harry and Meghan axed their 15 UK staff, in their surest sign they will never return to Britain to live.

: Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex pose for a picture with some of Queen's Young Leaders at a Buckingham Palace reception following the final Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony, in London
4
After lengthy and complex talks the Queen decided the couple could no longer use the word 'Royal' in their brandingCredit: Reuters
- Prince Harry, Duke And Meghan, Duchess Of Sussex Announce They Are To Step Back As Senior Royals The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Visit South Africa
4
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have stepped back from Royal dutiesCredit: Getty - Contributor
Meghan Markle branded 'mini royal Kardashian' by Piers Morgan in latest attack
Topics