Harry and Meghan stepped back from senior royal duties in early 2020, reshaping their public identities and financial arrangements. Since then, their titles, security status, and royal style have been negotiated between Buckingham Palace, the UK government, and their communications team.
Their ongoing public role now operates through commercial ventures, philanthropic initiatives, and intermittent institutional engagements that complicate how they are officially addressed and perceived.
Official Titles and Retained Styles
Their core birth titles remain unchanged, but some honorary and ceremonial styles were formally removed after their transition away from senior royal responsibilities.
| Name | Retained Title | Removed or Voluntarily Relinquished | Style Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Harry | Prince of the United Kingdom | HRH, style of Royal Highness (with duty suspension) | Military ranks retained, active humanitarian patron |
| Meghan Markle | Princess by marriage | HRH, style of Royal Highness (with duty suspension) | No public use of style since stepping back |
| Joint Public Role | Archwell partnership | Ribbon-cutting and royal patronages | Focused on equity, media reform, and community projects |
| Commonwealth Engagements | Continued invitations | Ceremonial titles in some roles | Balanced with commercial commitments |
Harry Retained Native Royal Status
Unlike Harry, who was born into the royal family, Meghan joined through marriage and her style was entirely derived from her relationship to the Crown.
After stepping back, Harry remains a British prince by birth, entitled to use the title Prince of the United Kingdom, even as he steps back from performing official duties under the reduced protocol.
Meghan's Derived Title and Protocol Changes
Meghan continues to be addressed as a princess in private contexts, but she does not use HRH or Royal Highness in her public communications or branding.
Her official representation now aligns with commercial ventures and advocacy work, where her name and titles are leveraged differently than in traditional royal settings.
Security and Public Funding Implications
The UK government confirmed that taxpayer-funded security for the couple would not continue in the same form after their decision to step back from senior duties.
Since then, private arrangements and host-country agreements govern security for overseas visits, impacting how and where they can appear publicly under protected conditions.
Key Takeaways on Their Titles and Roles
- Harry remains a British prince by birth and retains his native royal status.
- Meghan holds a derived princess title but does not use HRH publicly.
- Their official styles were suspended as part of their stepped-back royal duties.
- Security arrangements shifted from public funding to private or host-nation coverage.
- Their public work now focuses on commercial, philanthropic, and advocacy channels.
FAQ
Reader questions
Are Harry and Meghan still HRH or Royal Highness in public settings?
No, they no longer use HRH or Royal Highness in official or public-facing contexts after stepping back from senior royal responsibilities.
Does Harry still hold a princely title after stepping back?
Yes, Harry remains a Prince of the United Kingdom by birth despite no longer carrying out royal duties under the traditional royal protocol.
Can Meghan use her princess title on personal branding and projects?
She is technically a princess by marriage but generally avoids using the title publicly to maintain a commercial and advocacy-focused image.
Is their security still funded by British taxpayers?
No, UK taxpayer funding for their security ended with their transition, and private or host-nation arrangements now cover protective services.