Britons have suggested the Duke and Duchess of Sussex trademark ‘SussExRoyal’ after claiming that the Queen does not own the word royal across the world.
Harry and Meghan posted on their website that they would stop using the word royal in their branding after Spring.
In the statement – a shorter version first issued yesterday evening – said that while neither the government nor the Queen herself own the word ‘royal’ internationally, they would stop using the title.
Harry and Meghan posted on their website that they would stop using the word royal in their branding after Spring
But people came up with their own suggestions for the couple by capitalising the E in Sussex or adding a hyphen to create ‘Suss-ExRoyal’.
Jon Grove tweeted: ‘Surely Harry and Meghan can keep using their domain name if they just capitalise it differently? #SussExRoyal’
Another commented on their latest Instagram post with another variation: ‘Suss-Exroyal?’
People came up with their own suggestions for the couple by capitalising the E in Sussex or adding a hyphen to create ‘Suss-ExRoyal’
Sandra Irwin posted: ‘Someone should trademark Suss-Ex Royal’ alongside laughing faces.
The statement posted on their website said: ‘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.’
‘They have decided to use their own names, with Harry reverting to his mother’s maiden name for their business. It will now be known as Markle and Spencer’s,’ Randall Flagg posted on Twitter.
In the statement – a shorter version first issued yesterday evening – said that while neither the government nor the Queen herself own the word ‘royal’ internationally
The official Instagram page for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has the handle @sussexroyal
The Duke and Duchess posted an exchange of messages with music legend Jon Bon Jovi to confirm their attendance to an upcoming Invictus Games event on February 28.
But Instagram users called for the couple to ‘fix’ their SussexRoyal account and remove the word ‘royal’.
‘I’m just here waiting to see when your’e going to fix your account name and remove royal,’ one commented.
Another said: ‘Just waiting for the royal to finally disappear from this account.’
One posted: ‘When are you going to take off ‘royal’???’
Instagram users called for the couple to ‘fix’ their SussexRoyal account and remove the word ‘royal’
The Queen doesn’t own the word ‘Royal’, say Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Couple complain about their treatment in lengthy statement after Her Majesty forces them to drop Sussex Royal brand
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have posted an extraordinary statement on their website claiming that the Queen does not own the word royal across the world after they were forced to drop their ‘Sussex Royal’ brand.
Harry and Meghan put a new statement on their own website hours after announcing they would stop using the word ‘royal’ in their branding after the Spring.
The statement said that while neither the government nor the Queen herself own the word ‘royal’ internationally, they would stop using the title.
The Duke and Duchess issued a statement – a shorter version first issued yesterday evening – which said that while neither the government nor the Queen herself own the word ‘royal’ internationally, they would stop using the title
They said security ‘to protect them and their son’ is necessary amid controversy surrounding the estimated £3million – £6million protection bill that would be split between taxpayers in Canada and the UK
The statement reiterates that the couple will not draw on the Sovereign Grant. The couple plan to relaunch their careers – potentially earning millions of pounds a year – in a bid to ‘become financially independent’
The statement read: ‘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.’
They also appeared to complain that the palace is treating them differently to other family members.
The statement continued: ‘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.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have posted an extraordinary statement on their website claiming that the Queen does not own the word royal across the world after they were forced to drop their ‘Sussex Royal’ brand. Pictured: The Duke and Duchess arriving in Canada on Valentines Day
‘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 spokesman for the couple first issued a statement to the media about their use of royal titles shortly after 7.30pm on Friday but around 10pm they shared a much longer statement on their website via their Instagram story.
The much-longer statement included the reference to the treatment of other royals, the fact that Harry is still sixth in line for the throne and that they are still entitled to public protection.
They said they ‘require effective security to protect them and their son’ amid controversy surrounding the estimated £3million – £6million protection bill that would be split between taxpayers in Canada and the UK.
Many sections of the later statement released on their website appear hostile in tone, especially when compared to the earlier statement which was released through a spokesman for the couple.
Many royal experts believe the episode is another PR disaster for the couple.
Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator and international editor of Who’s Who, said about the lengthier statement on their website: ‘It is completely unnecessary to add that. Simply because it underlines their differences with the palace in a way that is avoidable.’
The couple’s decision to step down as senior working royals and pursue ‘financial independence’ put a spanner in the Sussex Royal works
They also confirmed that their office – based in Buckingham Palace – would be closed, a move they said was ‘saddening for The Duke and Duchess and their loyal staff’.
The announcement follows the Daily Mail’s revelation this week that Buckingham Palace had told Harry and Meghan not to employ the ‘Sussex Royal’ name when they are no longer working royals.
It is a significant blow for the couple, who have spent tens of thousands of pounds building the Sussex Royal-branded website and creating a hugely popular Instagram feed.
In an unprecedented legal move, the queen has drafted in top lawyers in a bid to enforce the ban.
A string of trademark applications, covering items from clothing and books to stationery and bandanas, were withdrawn.
It comes after MailOnline yesterday revealed that Meghan has told friends there is nothing ‘legally stopping’ her and Harry from using their Sussex Royal name.
The Daily Mail revealed this week that Buckingham Palace had told Harry and Meghan not to employ the name when they are no longer working royals
Meghan 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.’
The friend added: ‘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.’
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.’
Harry and Meghan are in the process of setting up a new charitable organisation after their split in August last year from the Royal Foundation Charity, which they shared with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The pair wanted to use Sussex Royal branding but a new name will now have to be found.
Meghan’s friend added: ‘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.’
Losing the name is the latest humiliation for the couple who announced last month they were stepping down as senior royals and moving to North America.
The pair have already agreed to give up their HRH titles for work purposes, and their official patronages on behalf of the queen, including Harry’s honorary military titles.
Complicated negotiations concluded that it was untenable for them to use the word ‘royal’ in their branding.
A spokesman for the Sussexes said last night: ‘While the Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK Government rules surrounding use of the word “Royal”, it has been therefore agreed their non-profit organisation, when it is announced this spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation.
‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use Sussex Royal in any territory post-spring 2020.
‘Therefore trademark applications that were filed as protective measures, acting on advice from and following the same model for The Royal Foundation, have been removed.’
Harry and Meghan first began using Sussex Royal 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 11.2million followers – the same number of fans as William and Kate’s account.
But the Mail revealed this week that the Queen and senior officials had decided the couple would have to drop their name.
A source told the Mail at the time: ‘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.’
Harry and Meghan announced on Wednesday that they will step down as working royals in less than six weeks and close their Buckingham Palace office.
The statement went on: ‘Based on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s desire to have a reduced role as members of The Royal Family, it was decided in January that their Institutional Office would have to be closed, given the primary funding mechanism for this official office at Buckingham Palace is from HRH The Prince of Wales.
‘The Duke and Duchess shared this news with their team personally in January once they knew of the decision, and have worked closely with their staff to ensure a smooth transition for each of them.
‘Over the last month and a half, The Duke and Duchess have remained actively involved in this process, which has understandably been saddening for The Duke and Duchess and their loyal staff, given the closeness of Their Royal Highnesses and their dedicated team.’
They will take part in six more engagements before formally withdrawing from frontline roles on March 31.
Their final official engagement is expected to be on March 9, when they will join the Queen at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day.
The statement also addressed the controversy surrounding the cost of the Duke and Duchess’s security.
Protection for Meghan and Harry is estimated to cost taxpayers in Canada and the UK between £3million and £6million a year, as staff work round the clock two weeks at a time.
The statement read: ‘It is agreed that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son.
‘This is based on The Duke’s public profile by virtue of being born into The Royal Family, his military service, the Duchess’ own independent profile, and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years.
‘No further details can be shared as this is classified information for safety reasons.’
The statement also spoke about the couple’s desire for financial independence.
They said: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will become privately funded members of The Royal Family with permission to earn their own income and the ability to pursue their own private charitable interests.
‘The preference of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was to continue to represent and support Her Majesty The Queen albeit in a more limited capacity, while not drawing on the Sovereign Grant.’
Harry and Meghan intend to split their time between North America and the UK.
They are planning to base themselves in Canada, where the duchess lived while starring in TV drama Suits.
The couple are also said to be looking for a property in Los Angeles so they can spend time with Meghan’s mother Doria.
They will no longer use their HRH titles, but they can keep their personal associations with charities and other organisations.
The Sussexes appeared at a conference in Miami earlier this month organised by banking giant JP Morgan in what was their first public sighting since their shock withdrawal as senior royals.
Their appearance at the exclusive summit, where Harry gave a speech, could have earned them up to £775,000.
A source said the duke ‘opened up to the wealthy crowd about the childhood trauma of losing his mother’.