'Illegal' Actions: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Website Could Be Breaking the Law in Britain
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's revamped website is causing more headaches than initially thought for the royals, and certain actions on it may even be against the law.
"When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex scooted off first to Canada and then to California, which was probably always her intended destination, it was made clear to them that although they would retain the honorific titles Her Royal Highness and His Royal Highness, Their Royal Highnesses, they were not allowed to use those letters," royal journalist Michael Cole explained when pointing out the new drama.
Harry and Meghan's new digital landing pages display their royal coat of arms, styles and titles, amidst their business endeavors for private gain, which Cole claims would be "illegal" if they did. Senior or junior British royals are not allowed to use their regal status as a means to make money, which the late Queen Elizabeth II reportedly made "crystal clear" to the couple. The veteran reporter also highlighted how the name "Sussex" is not to be used as a surname.
"In fact, it's not correct to say that Sussex is their surname," he added. "Sussex is two rather lovely counties in this country, West Sussex and East Sussex. But Prince Harry's birth name was Mountbatten Windsor. That's the family name of the royal family of this country. It's the House of Windsor, but the actual name the children are born into is Mountbatten Windsor."
When asked about how the royals would react to the latest breach of protocol by the California transplants, Cole reiterated how much of the palace response is always a matter of watch and see.
"This is going to cause some annoyance at Buckingham Palace," he continued. "Whether they will formally reprimand them, ask them to cease using it, cease and desist remains to be seen, but it is not a good look and it will not endear them to anybody within the royal family in this country. They'll be watching things very closely and if there is any transgression, they will certainly be taking sanctions."
In further news, many royal analysts are not amused at how the duo continue to use their royal status while trying to "become Hollywood celebrities."
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A source close to the California couple pushed back on critical claims by pointing out: "Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name," they said.
Harry and Meghan, no matter what they may or may not do to court or attract controversy, are and always will be "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex." Harry will always be styled as "prince," and as long as she remains his legal wife, Meghan will always be "The Princess Henry."
GBN interviewed Cole.