Meghan Markle: nothing ‘legally stopping’ use of Sussex Royal

Meghan Markle has told friends there is nothing ‘legally stopping’ her and Prince Harry from using their Sussex Royal name, despite the Queen banning them from using it, DailyMail.com has learned.

The 38-year-old complained to her inner circle that using the name ‘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,’ the insider said. 

They added: ‘Meghan said she’s done with the drama and has no room in her life for naysayers, and the same goes for Harry.’ 

On Tuesday, DailyMail revealed the Queen and senior officials agreed the two could no longer keep the word ‘royal’ in their ‘branding’, despite the likely thousands of dollars Meghan and Harry have already sunk into their website and trademark applications.

The news did not sit well with Meghan, as her friend explained: ‘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.’  

On Tuesday, DailyMail revealed the Queen and senior officials agreed the two could no longer keep the word ‘royal’ in their ‘branding’, despite the likely thousands of dollars Meghan and Harry have already sunk into their website and trademark applications

The Sussexes’ Instagram page, @sussexroyal, has amassed more than 11 million followers. The couple have spent tens of thousands on a new Sussex Royal website to complement their popular Instagram feed. They have also sought to register Sussex Royal as a global trademark for a range of items and activities, including clothing, stationery, books and teaching materials

The friend continued: ‘Meghan said the name of their brand pales in comparison to the foundation they are building and the enormously positive impact it will have on people and the environment.’ 

But, the insider added: ‘Meghan has told her inner circle that their success is inevitable with or without their current brand name. 

‘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. 

‘She said they know what their true intentions are and that’s all that matters. 

‘They are creating a better world for Archie. And it’s Archie who keeps them focused on the big picture.’

The news did not sit well with Meghan, as her friend explained: ‘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’

The insider also revealed that Archie ‘already has a big personality, like his daddy’, adding: ‘He’s curious about every little thing and has the absolute, most adorable giggle. He’s just pure love and joy.’

DailyMail.com did not receive a response from Meghan’s team after reaching out for comment. 

However, hours after publishing this piece, their spokesperson said Meghan and Harry had come to an agreement with the Queen that their organization, when it is announced this Spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation. 

It added: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ”SussexRoyal” in any territory post Spring 2020.’

The news comes as Prince Harry, 35, was spotted making a grocery run in Vancouver on Saturday. 

He was seen carrying an eco-friendly bag full of groceries as he headed home to the $14 million Vancouver Island mansion where he and Meghan are living with baby Archie.

Harry appeared to be in good spirits while carrying out the everyday task as sources have previously told DailyMail.com both he and Meghan have relished being ‘real homebodies’ since leaving the UK, and doing common tasks such as taking the dogs out and hiking with friends.

On Wednesday it was announced the couple would no longer have an office at Buckingham Palace starting in April, following their decision last month to step down as senior royals. 

The source added: ‘Meghan told her close friends that letting go of their staff (in England) shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone. ‘

The insider revealed that Archie ‘already has a big personality, like his daddy’, saying: ‘He’s curious about every little thing and has the absolute, most adorable giggle. He’s just pure love and joy.’ Pictured: Harry and Archie in a snap believed to have been taken by Meghan over the holiday season in Canada 

 The 38-year-old complained to her inner circle that using the name ‘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,’ the insider said. Pictured: Documents published by the Intellectual Property Office show how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex planned to expand their brand

Meghan and Harry have likely spent a small fortune on their Sussex Royal website to complement their hugely popular Instagram feed. 

They have also sought to register Sussex Royal as a global trademark for a range of items and activities, including clothing, stationery, books and teaching materials.

In addition, they have taken steps to set up a new charitable organisation: Sussex Royal, The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. But the Queen has now made clear that they will need to ‘re-brand’.

A source told DailyMail that, amid what has been described as a ‘complex’ situation, the ‘fine detail’ is still being thrashed out.

The Queen’s command is thought to represent a major blow to the Sussexes, who would be faced with re-registering everything from their website to their charity under a new label. 

Harry and Meghan first began using the Sussex Royal branding this time last year, after they split their household from that of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – known as Kensington Royal.

The Sussexes’ Instagram page, @sussexroyal, has amassed 11.2 million followers – the same number of fans as William and Kate’s account.

The insider added: ‘Meghan said she’s done with the drama and has no room in her life for naysayers, and the same goes for Harry.’ Pictured: Harry and Meghan are seen together for the first time since leaving their royal duties on February 14 

It was a natural progression, therefore, for Harry and Meghan to use the moniker for their new charitable foundation, due to be launched this year with the support of Buckingham Palace.

And as they secretly prepared for a new life in Canada, it was clear that Sussex Royal was at the forefront of Harry and Meghan’s plans.

Dozens of trademark applications were made for everything from bandannas to notebooks – although sources have always stressed that these were preventative measures to protect the trademark from others, and never intended for commercial use.

The couple also privately commissioned a new website. 

It went live last month to coincide with their bombshell announcement, with the introduction: ‘Welcome to the Sussex Royal community, your source for information on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.’ 

A source told the Daily Mail: ‘In many ways this is inevitable given their decision to step down, but it must surely come as a blow to the couple as they have invested everything into the Sussex Royal brand The Queen would have had little choice, however.

‘The Sussexes’ original plan – of being half-in, half-out working royals – was never going to work. Obviously, as the Queen has made clear, they are still much-loved members of her family.  

‘But if they aren’t carrying out official duties and are now seeking other commercial opportunities, they simply cannot be allowed to market themselves as royals.’ 

Still another source previously told DailyMail.com the two have ‘no regrets’ about their decision to step down.