Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be dropping the word “Royal” from their brand.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared an official update on the terms agreed upon for when they step back as senior members of the Royal Family and take on new roles this spring.
Prince Harry and Meghan previously announced their plans to establish a non-profit organization – there have been reports that they’ve met with professors at Stanford University to discuss plans for their non-profit as well a filing for trademark for their brand, Sussex Royal.
But, apprarently, there’s a law in the U.K. that limits their use of the word “royal.”
“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,’” they shared on their website.
A Sussex spokesperson also gave a similar statement, confirming that they won’t be using the name in their non-profit organization, which will launch this Spring.
“While the Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organization, given the specific U.K. government rules surrounding use of the word ‘royal,’ it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organization, when it is announced this Spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation,” the spokesperson said in a statement, per Entertainment Tonight.
The Sussex’s official digital accounts – website and social media – all contain the name Sussex Royal, but according to the statement, they do not plan to use the title “in any territory after Spring 2020,” which would likely mean that the trademark applications have been removed.
They also noted that “their digital channels will be refreshed” come Spring 2020.
Other agreements they shared include the use of their HRH titles – they will formally remain known as His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex. However, they won’t be actively use their HRH titles anymore.
As for their intentions to become financially independent, a 12-month review period has been put in place.
In the meantime, they will no longer be carrying out official duties for the throne and won’t be undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Queen, but they can still maintain their patronages and Harry still keeps all his military ranks.
But although they’ll be stepping back from their official duties, the order of succession hasn’t changed and Prince Harry is still sixth in line to the throne.
For more details on their transition, royal fans can check out their statement on their website.
