Meghan Markle's Use Of Duchess During Private Meeting Slammed By Experts: 'Instructions Were Given'

Meghan Markle has been accused of leaning heavily on her duchess title despite stepping back from royal life. This comes amid claims she has staff announce her as "Duchess" during private interviews.

Critics say the move reflects her strong attachment to royal status and its value in U.S. branding. Similar incidents in the past, including a gift basket signed "HRH Meghan," have drawn scrutiny.

Meghan Markle, however, has emphasized that "Sussex" holds deep meaning for her family and symbolizes unity with her husband, Prince Harry, and their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Several royal commentators say they were taken aback to learn that the Duchess of Sussex allegedly had a staff member formally announce her title before she sat down for a Harper's Bazaar cover interview.

Many believe the move reflects how strongly Meghan values the prestige of her royal name despite stepping back from the monarchy.

Broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that the gesture was "not protocol, let alone royal protocol."

She described the moment as strange and revealing, noting, "Meghan attaches enormous importance to her royal status. Meghan will cling to her Duchess of Sussex title because it gives her a sense of importance."

The expert continued, "The title remains useful for Meghan's business activities, particularly in the United States. It gets people talking and keeps her in the limelight."

Chard added jokingly that Meghan keeps on giving "comedy writers fabulous content."

Writer Kaitlyn Greenidge, who interviewed Meghan in October, recalled arriving at a grand brownstone on the Upper East Side belonging to one of Meghan's friends.

Upon entering, the house manager reportedly announced, "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex," even though only the two of them were present.

"When I enter, the house manager announces, 'Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,' even though we appear to be the only other two people in the house," Greenidge revealed, per The Blast.

She said a similar moment occurred during an earlier meeting at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, where a staffer declared "The Duchess of Sussex" as a golf cart pulled up.

According to royal expert Hilary Fordwich, these moments were unlikely to be spontaneous.

"This was very intentional," she said. "Instructions were given, so it appears she was making a point — sadly for her, probably not the point she intended. The use of her royal title is beyond pretentious. It's hypocritical at best."

The Harper's Bazaar writer, Greenidge, also described a meeting at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills, a week before the interview, where she and Meghan were seated at a prominently visible table.

Toward the end of their conversation, a waiter delivered a cappuccino featuring foam art of Meghan's face.

Meghan reportedly recognized the image instantly, noting that it was from her 2019 tour of South Africa with Prince Harry.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that the anecdotes highlight Meghan's strong attachment to her royal links.

"The scene where the title is used when there are only two people in the room highlights this. It just seems comical," he said. "It is, however, perfectly correct for her to use it when announced before meeting a group of children in Los Angeles — but that's not exactly egalitarian."

Fitzwilliams also pointed out that traditional protocol would have required the reporter to be announced, not Meghan.

Meanwhile, Kinsey Schofield, host of "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," believes Meghan may argue that the announcement was an innocent moment she didn't expect to appear in print.

However, she noted that a similar controversy arose earlier in the year when Meghan sent Jamie Kern Lima a gift basket signed "HRH Meghan, Duchess of Sussex."

Meghan's team defended the signature as a private gesture, but critics argued that including her products made it promotional, especially once Lima posted the basket online, showcasing Meghan's branding and titles prominently.

Although Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020, both they and their children continue to retain their royal titles, and using "Sussex" as their family surname remains fully within royal convention.

The topic resurfaced earlier this year following the release of Meghan's Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," in March.

In one episode, guest Mindy Kaling casually referred to her as "Meghan Markle," prompting Meghan to gently correct her.

"You keep saying 'Meghan Markle.' You know I'm 'Sussex' now," she stated, per The Blast. "I share my ['Sussex'] name with my children. I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to say, 'This is our family name."

In a separate interview with PeopleMagazine that same month, Meghan explained that the Sussex name took on a deeper emotional significance once she became a mother.

"I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, [Harry], and I all have together," she said. "It means a lot to me."