MAJ'S BRAND STAND
Meghan Markle & Prince Harry insist Queen doesn’t own the word ‘royal’ in extraordinary statement after Her Maj’s ban
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have been forced to ditch their Sussex Royal brand after the Queen hired top lawyers to ban it.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex performed an embarrassing climbdown after spending tens of thousands of pounds on their Sussex Royal website and trademarks.
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In an extraordinary statement posted on their Sussex Royal website last night the couple accepted they would ditch the branding from the end of next month, but moaned that neither the Queen nor the government owned the word "royal"; across the world.
The lengthy statement said: "While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK Government rules surrounding use of the word Royal, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation, when it is announced this Spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation.
"While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word 'Royal' overseas, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use 'SussexRoyal' in any territory post Spring 2020."
Before last night, pals said that Meghan believed there was no legal comeback for the Queen if they continued to use the term after quitting on March 31.
But in an unprecedented move, the Queen brought in top lawyers to block it and to outline the case in UK law banning the use of the word "royal" for financial gain, .
It is the latest humiliation for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after Megxit.
And it means Harry and Meghan have "ended up completely on the outside" of the royal family, BBC Royal Correspondent Johnny Dymond said last night.
Following lengthy Buckingham Palace talks, The Queen and senior royal officials ruled the couple cannot use "Royal" in their new commercial lives as they look to gain "financial independence" after moving to Canada.
But experts had warned there is nothing the Queen can do if the royal couple choose to use Sussex Royal in the US.
BRAND BAN
However, the couple last night confirmed they will drop the brand and not to use it anywhere in the world.
A spokeswoman for the couple had initially issued a media statement confirming the couple would not use the Royal branding at around 7.30pm last night. At around 10pm they then shared a much longer version online, drawing fans' attention to it through an Instagram story.
They added in their statement, entitled Spring 2020 Transition: "As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to develop their non-profit organisation and plan for their future, we hope that you use this site as the source for factual information.
"In Spring 2020, their digital channels will be refreshed as they introduce the next exciting phase to you.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex eagerly await the opportunity to share more with you and greatly appreciate your support!"
In the longer version, the pair also appeared to complain that the palace is treating them differently to other family members, adding: "While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place.
"Per the agreement The Duke and Duchess of Sussex understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties and not undertake representative duties on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen."
It also adds that Harry remains sixth in line to the throne, and that the family are still entitled to "effective security to protect them and their son" following controversy over their protection bill - estimated to be as much as £6million.
An insider the couple were "done with the drama" as they settle into their new £8m home on Vancouver Island.
ROYAL CLIMBDOWN
The source said: "(The brand) shouldn't even be an issue in the first place and it's not like they want to be in the business of selling T-shirts and pencils.
"Meghan said she's done with the drama and has no room in her life for naysayers, and the same goes for Harry.
"Meghan said the global projects they are working on speak for themselves and they chose that name to protect the royal name, not profit off of it.
"She said regardless of the name, Harry and Archie have royal blood and no-one can take that away. And that as a family, they will always be considered royalty."
Prince Harry and Meghan are formally stepping down as working royals on March 31.
Jonny Dymond, the BBC Royal Correspondent, said last night: "Now they have ended up really completely on the outside.
"Yes of course, there is still the family role and the private role and they are clearly always going to be members of the private side of the royal family.
"But publicly there is no role at all. No tours, no titles, nothing.
"And this is the final signifier. They will not be able to use the word royal and they have agreed they will not call their foundation, their website, their social media feed.
"Any of that - it won't have the word royal in it and it won't be Sussex Royal."
Harry will record with Jon Bon Jovi next week on his first engagement of a whirlwind return to the UK.
He will join the musician in the studio to record his song Unbroken with the Invictus Games Choir.
Harry and Meghan's online statement in full
We are pleased to now be able to share with you an update on many of the details agreed at a meeting of The Royal Family in January 2020, which outlines The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new roles, taking effect Spring 2020. We had hoped to be allowed to share these details with you sooner (to mitigate any confusion and subsequent misreporting), but the facts below should help provide some clarification around this transition and the steps for the future.
AS AGREED AND SET OUT IN JANUARY 2020:
- It is agreed that the commencement of the revised role of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will take effect Spring 2020 and undergo a 12 month review.
- The Royal Family respect and understand the wish of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to live a more independent life as a family, by removing the supposed "public interest" justification for media intrusion into their lives. They remain a valued part of Her Majesty’s family.
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will become privately funded members of The Royal Family with permission to earn their own income and the ability to pursue their own private charitable interests.
- The preference of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was to continue to represent and support Her Majesty The Queen albeit in a more limited capacity, while not drawing on the Sovereign Grant.
- While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place.
- Per the agreement The Duke and Duchess of Sussex understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties and not undertake representative duties on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.
- As agreed and set out in January, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will retain their “HRH” prefix, thereby formally remaining known as His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer actively use their HRH titles as they will no longer be working members of the family as of Spring 2020.
- As the grandson of Her Majesty and second son of The Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex remains sixth in line to the throne of The British Monarchy and the Order of Precedence is unchanged.
- It was agreed that The Duke and Duchess will no longer be able to formally carry out "official duties" for The Queen or represent The Commonwealth, but they will, however, be allowed to maintain their patronages (including those that are classified as "royal patronages").
- It is agreed that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son. This is based on The Duke’s public profile by virtue of being born into The Royal Family, his military service, the Duchess’ own independent profile, and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years. No further details can be shared as this is classified information for safety reasons.
- In relation to the military, The Duke of Sussex will retain the rank of Major, and honorary ranks of Lieutenant Commander, and Squadron Leader. During this 12-month period of review, The Duke’s official military appointments will not be used as they are in the gift of the Sovereign. No new appointments will be made to fill these roles before the 12-month review of the new arrangements is completed.
- While per the agreement, The Duke will not perform any official duties associated with these roles, given his dedication to the military community and ten years of service he will of course continue his unwavering support to the military community in a non-official capacity. As founder of the Invictus Games, The Duke will proudly continue supporting the military community around the world through the Invictus Games Foundation and The Endeavour Fund.
- Based on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s desire to have a reduced role as members of The Royal Family, it was decided in January that their Institutional Office would have to be closed, given the primary funding mechanism for this official office at Buckingham Palace is from HRH The Prince of Wales. The Duke and Duchess shared this news with their team personally in January once they knew of the decision, and have worked closely with their staff to ensure a smooth transition for each of them.
- Over the last month and a half, The Duke and Duchess have remained actively involved in this process, which has understandably been saddening for The Duke and Duchess and their loyal staff, given the closeness of Their Royal Highnesses and their dedicated team.
- As The Duke and Duchess will no longer be considered full-time working Members of The Royal Family, it was agreed that use of the word ‘Royal’ would need to be reviewed as it pertains to organisations associated with them in this new regard. More details on this below.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
- As shared in early January on this website, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not plan to start a "foundation", but rather intend to develop a new way to effect change and complement the efforts made by so many excellent foundations globally.
- The creation of this non-profit entity will be in addition to their cause driven work that they remain deeply committed to. While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word "Royal", it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation will not utilise the name "Sussex Royal" or any other iteration of "Royal."
- For the above reason, the trademark applications that had been filed as protective measures and that reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been removed.
- While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word "Royal" overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use "Sussex Royal" or any iteration of the word "Royal" in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020.
- As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to develop their non-profit organisation and plan for their future, we hope that you use this site as the source for factual information. In Spring 2020, their digital channels will be refreshed as they introduce the next exciting phase to you.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex eagerly await the opportunity to share more with you and greatly appreciate your support!
The first return to royal duties for Meghan will be on March 5, with the couple heading to the Endeavour Fund awards in London.
As part of the busy six engagements in 11 days, Harry, 35, is expected to attend the opening of the Silverstone Experience - a Brit motor racing museum - with F1 legend Lewis Hamilton on March 6.
And the next day, he will be joined by wife Meghan, 38, for the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall.
Meghan is then set to enjoy a solo outing on March 8 when the former actress will mark International Women's Day, however details of the event are yet to be announced.
And the couple's final engagement on March 9 will see them join the Royal Family, including the Queen, for the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
MEGXIT BOMBSHELL
Buckingham Palace officials had said use of the word “royal” would have to be evaluated during Megxit talks following Harry and Meghan's bombshell announcement that they would be quitting frontline royal duties last month.
The Queen had made clear she does not accept working royals profiting from their position.
It comes after Harry and Meghan axed their 15 UK staff, in their surest sign they will never return to Britain to live.
The described this move as "saddening for The Duke and Duchess and their loyal staff" in their statement on Friday night.
The couple, who are currently living in an £8m mansion on Vancouver Island, have already been booted out of their Buckingham Palace office and Harry must ditch his honorary military positions for at least 12 months.
MOST READ IN NEWS
They have been allowed to keep their HRH titles but have been forced to accept that they will not use them publicly as they tout for business around the globe.
The Sussexes have already agreed to repay the £2.4million of taxpayers’ money used to refurbish their Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor and are expected to pay a commercial rent for it of about £30,000 a month.
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