Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been branded "hypocrites" for continuing to use their official titles while simultaneously distancing themselves from the Royal Family. Although the couple have severed ties with the royal institution, they still refer to themselves as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in official duties and business dealings.
The estranged royals came under fire in the latest episode of The Sun's Royal Exclusive programme, hosted Matt Wilkinson. He was joined by Vanity Fair royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, and public relations expert Mark Borkoski.
The group criticised the Duke and Duchess for continuing to use their royal titles, despite openly seeking to forge their own path in the USA.
They were even likened to Harry's uncle, the embattled Prince Andrew, who has become a serious PR headache for the royals.
Mark said: "It's clearly social capital. I'm sure [Meghan's] PA uses it to ensure that she gets that top table at a restaurant. It will have a huge weight in America to have that kudos of still having that sort of royal aura around her.”
He continued: “It is hypocritical. I'm sure she uses it a lot because it is something of value, particularly in the social circle she moves in. It's not a great look in my estimation.”
Katie agreed, accusing the Duchess of "hypocrisy". “You've attacked this institution many, many times, and yet you want to retain all of the perks and privileges of being in that institution, which is, of course, the titles," she said. "She doesn't really need to be using the Duchess of Sussex, but of course, that sets her aside from everyone else, including top list, A-list Hollywood celebrities.
“They didn't have to use those titles. They've chosen to do that. She's chosen to use the HRH title."
Mark added: “Of course it adds weight and she knows it adds weight. And it gives that sort of subliminal aura that she still has links with the British Royal Family, which is a very, very, very powerful brand globally, particularly in America.
“If you are disconnected from that, you lose your social capital, you lose your weight in terms of sort of some of these deals that she's trying to do. I'm sure she is using that when it's important, when she has to land something, you know, to remind the people of the power that she possibly has.
“This is a power game. That status is so important, because without that status, she is another B-lister in a continent absolutely populated with celebrities.”
Aiming criticism at the Duchess, Mark said: “On one hand you're attacking the institution, you're crying into your pillow, and the next thing, you are forgetting all that emotion you've thrown in and you're using a title. So, yeah, I think it tarnishes it for her, it tarnishes her brand. It shows just how they still have to be linked to the royal family to be relevant.”
And they drew comparisons with the Duke of York, from whom Katie said Buckingham Palace had "completely detached themselves". “I think the King has wanted him to slip quietly into the background for some time," she said.
She added: "Really the greatest thing that Andrew can do for the royal family is to just disappear, and of course, he won't do that.”
She continued: “In the same way that Harry and Meghan won't let go of those HRH titles, he is just clinging on. He needs to let go.”
