The Duke and Duchess of Sussex responded to news that they will no longer be able to use the “Sussex Royal” trademark or the word “royal” in a ‘Spring 2020 Transition’ statement, which was posted on their SussexRoyal.com website.
They also complain that they will have to wait before they can seek employment outside of the royal family as they seek to become financially independent.
According to The Mirror, the couple appear to complain they are being treated differently to other members of the royal family, particularly Bea and Eugenie.
The statement read: “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.”
A royal source told The Mirror: “It’s pretty clear they are referencing minor royals such as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, which is an odd association to make for two people whose associates were once claiming they had single-handedly modernised the monarchy.”
Harry’s cousins, Beatrice and Eugenie are the daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. They are not considered to be senior working royals and don’t carry out duties on behalf of the Queen.
Instead, they both have full time jobs.
Bea is known as Beatrice York in her professional life and works as the Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy at Afiniti. Beatrice is also in charge of an Afiniti programme to engage senior business chiefs around the world to support women in leadership.
Eugenie works as a director for Mayfair-based gallery Hauser & Wirth.
The couple also took a swipe at Queen Elizabeth, saying that although she has “no jurisdiction” to stop them using the word ‘royal’ internationally, Harry and Meghan would nonetheless stop using the title.
“While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding the 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,’” a statement on their website read.
The statement continued: “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.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has slammed Harry and Meghan, telling the MailOnline that the statement was ‘completely unnecessary’.
“The idea of putting out a statement which agrees that they can’t use the word royal but contradicts the idea the monarchy can stop them using it,” he said, “they’re basically saying the royals can’t stop them using it, but they won’t be using it.”
“It has been especially unnecessary to underline it in this way, especially as the agreement will be reviewed after a year.”
“It simply empathises the division that we know that’s there. The tone they’ve taken is that they are unhappy, they’ve made it clear every step of the way.”