After Queen announces Harry and Meghan will not use HRH titles, they sign off as 'Royal Highnesses' on website
Harry and Meghan will be free to pursue social and financial independence after their historic decision to step back from royal life. The couple's official website, SussexRoyal.com, released an updated statement just moments after the bombshell announcement by Buckingham Palace.
But despite Queen Elizabeth II announcing the couple would no longer be using their HRH titles, the post continued to refer to the couple as "Their Royal Highnesses."
"In line with the statement by Her Majesty The Queen, information on the roles and work of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be updated on this website in due course," the statement read. "We appreciate your patience and invite you to explore the site to see the current works of Their Royal Highnesses."
According to reports, the full change in titles is expected to come into effect from spring. However, it is unclear how Harry and Meghan will balance their trademark brand 'Sussex Royal' without bearing the official titles.
In April last year, the pair launched their own Instagram account @sussexroyal. The page has since garnered a staggering 10.8 million followers. What's more? Their official website sussexroyal.com was launched minutes after the announcement of their royal stepdown, leaving many observers to wonder why they were still using the royal brand.
That said, the website now details Harry and Meghan's "new working model" that explains how they are planning to go forward assuming a "progressive new role." They have also updated their media relations policy, saying they would be withdrawing from the "royal rota" system -- which allows any British media organization to cover their work in recognition of the monarchy being a publicly-funded institution.
British media is currently allowed to cover royal engagements in an impartial manner without any control from state officials. However, Harry and Meghan will now offer access only to specially-invited media and release updates via their own official communication and social media channels.
The Duke and Duchess stated on their new website they believe such an approach will reflect "both their forthcoming independence as members of the Royal Family" and help "reshape and broaden access to their work." The duo also explained how they will be funding their charities after claiming that they want to be financially independent.
According to PR expert Mark Borkowski, the couple will retain considerable pulling power in the charity sector despite their royal exit. "Whether they will become as interesting for charities going forward, I don't think so, but they will carry a lot of chic and interest with them but sustaining that for 10,20,30 years is going to be difficult," he told Daily Mail.
"They can raise a lot of money. They can make a lot of money and they clearly have an ambition and a purpose. This is a significant move into another world and we haven't seen that since Edward and Mrs. Simpson," he continued. "I think they (Harry and Meghan) are significant personalities in their own right now and wherever they go they will have press attention, the cameras will follow them. It'll be talked about."
"So that's not going to change and if anything, by not being connected to the Royal Family, not having the HRH monikers on it, they are doing something incredibly disruptive but they won't immediately lose their sheen," Borkowski concluded.
That said, Harry and Meghan are likely to be flooded with commercial offers considering their unique combination of Hollywood glamor and British royalty. However, it is understood they haven't signed any deals as yet.