There’s Actually a Law That Will Prevent Meghan Markle and Prince Harry From Using Sussex Royal
Though it’s been nearly two months since Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry announced their resignation as senior members of the British royal family, it will be quite some time before Megxit is officially over. The Sussexes will return to the U.K. next month to carry out an extensive list of final royal duties. If all goes well they will no longer be senior working royals by April 1.
However, because this is so unprecedented — the pair have decided along with the remaining royal members that they would revisit the terms of their exit at the top of 2021. Once the duo has completed their duties in April — they will be free to focus on what’s next for them.
The pair are working on a new charitable entity and figuring out how to become financially independent. However, Queen Elizabeth and long-enforced law may be forcing the Sussexes to rebrand altogether.
This is why Sussex Royal is so important
The Sussexes may have pulled the rug out from under us all when they announced Megxit, but they were considering it for some time. In fact in their October 2019 ITV documentary, Harry and Meghan: An African Journey they expressed their unhappiness saying they would leave if things didn’t improve.
The pair began planting the seeds of their exit back in June 2019 when they filed paperwork to trademark Sussex Royal. The trademark covers covers printed materials — like magazines and booklets — as well as clothing items, education, social care services, and charitable fundraising.
Obviously,the duke and duchess identify as the Sussexes, but the “royal” aspect of their brand is worth billions.
Queen Elizabeth doesn’t want Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to use Sussex Royal
Since the Sussexes are looking to be independent citizens who cannot profit off of their royal titles, Queen Elizabeth is not thrilled with Markle and Prince Harry using Sussex Royal.
“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,” a royal source told People. “Discussions are still ongoing….As part of the process to transition the Duke and Duchess of Sussex into their new chapter, planning has been well underway around the launch of their new nonprofit organization. Details will be shared in due course.”
This law might prevent Meghan Markle and Prince Harry from using Sussex Royal
In addition to Queen Elizabeth’s reservations about the use of Sussex Royal, it’s also misleading to align the “royal” brand with any commercial ventures. Even if the queen ultimately makes an exception for her grandson, there are varied laws in place that prevent people’s misuse of the word “royal.” It’s to” protect the public from fraud and misrepresentation.”
“The Queen is actually governed by several pieces of legislation, including the Trade Marks Act 1994 and even the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of 1883,” royal biographer Robert Hardman told Daily Mail. “The Sussexes have not picked a fight with the Queen but with the law of the land.”
This means the Sussexes’ website, Instagram account, and new charity name will all need to change. We will have to see how this turns out.
