Meghan Markle's title and job explained after King Charles outlines her future in Royal Family
After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the UK, King Charles published a letter addressing the couple's return, stating that they would be 'private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,' and would not resuming any royal duties. But what exactly is Meghan Markle's job title?
Before tying the knot with Prince Harry in May 2018 - Meghan had a successful career in acting, most famously, portraying the role of Rachel Zane in Suits, from 2011 to 2018, retiring from the role when she became engaged to Harry.
Then, she became a member of the Royal Family, although in January 2020, the couple announced their plans to 'step back' as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and ‘work to become financially independent,' and two months later, headed back to the US, settling down in Meghan's home town of California, before returning to the UK six years later.
What is Meghan Markle's job and title?
Despite taking a step back from the Royal Family, Meghan Markle still holds the title of The Duchess of Sussex, with Prince Harry holding the title of The Duke of Sussex.
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The titles were given to the couple by Queen Elizabeth II on the day of their wedding.
Meghan's full, official title is The Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel.
While a working member of the Royal Family, Meghan became a Patron for a number of organizations, including The National Theatre, The Association of Commonwealth Universities, animal welfare charity Mayhew, and Smart Works, which helps vulnerable women, or those who have been unemployed for a long time get back into work, as per the Royal website.
After stepping back as a senior member of the Royal Family, Meghan launched a number of new ventures, including her nonprofit organization with Harry, the Archewell Foundation.
She also released her podcast, Archetypes, as well as finding her lifestyle brand As Ever, which 'sells a curated selection of gourmet food spreads, artisan honeys, herbal teas, and lifestyle home goods'.
As of now, the Duchess is a life-style business owner as well as an entrepreneur.
What did King Charles' letter to Harry and Meghan say?
Per the BBC, a letter sent on behalf of King Charles says that Harry and Meghan will not be permitted to use their ‘HRH’ titles of His and Her Royal Highness, and are ‘private citizens with commercial and charitable interests’.
"It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and are no longer working members of the Royal Family," the letter read.
"It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
"The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity," it continued.
Following this, Harry's team reportedly told the Daily Mail: "We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance."
The outlet reports that the pair were made aware of the letter, but not the context.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: A timeline of key events
July 2016
Meghan and Harry are set up on a blind date by a mutual friend.
November 2016
Harry confirms Meghan is his girlfriend and condemns the media for subjecting her ‘to a wave of abuse and harassment’.
A statement from his communications secretary reads: “Some of this has been very public - the smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.
“Some of it has been hidden from the public - the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life.”
November 2017
The couple announce their engagement.
May 2018
Meghan and Harry tie the knot at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
2019
Prince Harry launches legal action against News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers over alleged phone hacking and the unlawful interception of his voicemails.
May 2019
Prince Archie is born on 6 May at the Portland Hospital in London.
January 2020
Meghan and Harry announce plans to ‘step back’ as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and ‘work to become financially independent’.
In a statement, they said: “We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”
February 2020
The committee responsible for royal security decides Harry will no longer receive the same level of taxpayer-funded protection he had as a working royal. He later launches legal action against the UK government, challenging the decision.
March 2020
The Sussexes move to the US, settling in Meghan’s native California.
February 2021
Meghan wins an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers (publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday) following the publication of her 2018 letter to her estranged father, Thomas Markle.
March 2021
During a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan says she experienced suicidal thoughts while pregnant with Archie. The couple also allege there had been ‘concerns and conversations’ within the Royal Family about ‘how dark’ their son’s skin might be.
The Palace later responds: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
June 2021
Princess Lilibet is born at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California.
June 2022
The couple attend Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations but do not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the rest of the Royal Family.
September 2022
Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96. Meghan and Harry travel to the UK for the funeral and burial ceremonies.
January 2023
Harry’s memoir, Spare, is published. It contains some bombshell claims against his family, including an alleged altercation with Prince William and ‘tensions’ between Meghan and Kate Middleton, as well as revelations about his past drug use and losing his virginity.
May 2023
Harry attends his father King Charles’ coronation while Meghan stays in California with their children. He's seen sitting two rows behind William in Westminster Abbey and is not invited onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Harry leaves the country just hours later.
June 2023
Harry testifies in his case against Mirror Group Newspapers, making him the first senior British royal to give evidence in court in more than 130 years.
December 2023
A three-day court hearing begins over Harry’s legal challenge to his UK security arrangements. His lawyers argue that the decision to downgrade his protection after he stopped being a ‘working royal’ was ‘unlawful and unfair’.
Later this month, Harry wins part of his case against Mirror Group Newspapers, with a judge awarding him £140,600 in damages.
February 2024
At the start of the month, Harry makes a brief trip to the UK following King Charles’ cancer announcement.
The High Court dismisses his challenge over his UK security arrangements. Harry says he will appeal the decision.
January 2025
News Group Newspapers (publisher of The Sun) settles Harry’s lawsuit, offering him a ‘full and unequivocal apology’ for the ‘serious intrusion’ into his private life between 1996 and 2011, including ‘incidents of unlawful activity’ carried out by private investigators. It agrees to pay ‘substantial damages’.
May 2025
Three Court of Appeal judges reject Harry’s appeal over his UK security, ruling that the decision to provide him with case-by-case protection was ‘lawful and rational‘.
Harry tells the BBC he ‘would love a reconciliation’ with his family and that there was ‘no point in continuing to fight anymore’ because ‘life is precious’. Though he claims that his father ‘won't speak to me because of this security stuff’.
Harry says he’s ‘devastated’ he lost his legal case for security in the UK, adding: “I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.”
September 2025
Harry joins King Charles for a private tea at Clarence House in London, their first face-to-face meeting in 19 months.
July 2026
Meghan, Harry and their two children meet with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House.
August 2026
Meghan and Harry plan to relocate back to the UK, with their children enrolled to start at school in September.
Topics: Royal Family, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, King Charles III
Kiesha Dosanjh