The couple, who met in 2016 and married in 2018, kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, but are no longer addressed as His or Her Royal Highness (HRH). Harry also gave up his military titles. When Harry's father became King, the couple's two children became Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
January 18, 2020 Buckingham Palace has announced that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer use public funds for royal duties, will repay the Sovereign Grant for the renovation of Frogmore Cottage, and will no longer use their HRH titles.
Meghan Markle revealed she experienced postpartum preeclampsia, a rare and serious medical condition involving high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine after childbirth, which she described as a "huge medical scare". She shared this personal health battle on her podcast, highlighting the challenges of managing a life-threatening condition while navigating new motherhood privately, an experience she shares with Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd.
Meghan Markle's name was removed from Archie Harrison's birth certificate in 2019, changing it from "Rachel Meghan The Duchess of Sussex" to just "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex," as a move to align with royal protocol, similar to Princess Diana's birth certificate, though it sparked rumors of a "snub" to Kate Middleton and was described by Meghan's spokesperson as a Palace directive, not her own choice, adding complexity to royal naming conventions.
Prince Harry whispered to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, that he hoped she was happy and with his grandfather, Prince Philip, and expressed his admiration for her dedication to duty until the end, as revealed in his memoir Spare. He said he hoped she'd be happy and with Grandfather now, acknowledging her service through the Jubilee and her final duties.
"I've been told that I have to ask your permission before I can propose," he said to his grandmother, who responded, "Well then, I suppose I have to say yes."
However, this wish was firmly denied. An insider explained that the Late Queen refused the photo because it was a private family meeting. There were concerns that any images taken by the Sussexes' photographer could be shared with US television networks, which raised privacy issues.
However, no paternity test has been undertaken and there is no evidence that Harry is not a Windsor. Anderson's book however is still stoking the rumours ten years on, he names witnesses who in fact say Diana and Hewitt were lovers before, not after, Harry was born.
"We both had very similar experiences — though we didn't know each other at the time — with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia," Meghan shared. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.
Though King Charles has never publicly referred to the Duchess of Sussex by this moniker, it's thought he used to call her "tungsten." This term, referring to a hard and brittle metal with the highest melting point of any known element, is seen as a testament to Meghan's strength and resilience.
In simpler terms, Meghan's teeth underwent a carefully planned “smile makeover” over the years. She started with a set of teeth that had a few common issues – a gap between her front teeth and minor misalignments – and through dental treatments she now has a straighter, whiter, and more uniform smile.
Samantha, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, says she “couldn't believe” how her estranged half-sister treated the royals.
Beyoncé has shown consistent, powerful support for Meghan Markle, praising her "courage and leadership" after the Oprah interview and calling her a "Melanated Mona" in a symbolic gesture at the 2019 Brit Awards. The music power couple recreated their Louvre "Apeshit" video in front of a portrait of Meghan, signaling solidarity against media scrutiny, and Beyoncé later texted Meghan, telling her she was "selected to break generational curses".
Meghan Markle has jumped 11 points in new polling data partially recovering from a major slump in her U.S. popularity during the first half of 2025. The Duchess of Sussex's fan base crashed 13 points during two quarters, according to ratings data from YouGov, while those who disliked her also increased in number.
The order of succession can be altered by statute but not otherwise. It is conceivable that an agreement arising from permanent residence outside the UK and absence of royal duties could lead to Harry's removal from the line of succession.
Meghan may be a resident of Montecito, California, but she is still the Duchess of Sussex, and she won't let us commoners forget it. Despite their highly publicised separation from the royal family, Harry and Meghan remain extraordinarily loyal to their fancy titles.
Meghan is a beautiful woman and has a unique look that draws attention, but she looks different than how she appeared earlier in her career. Much of the change in her face is her maturation and the loss of the “baby fat” compared to past photos.
All of her children were born via natural delivery. The Princess of Wales received care from prominent obstetricians and midwives during her childbirths. Kate's medical experiences have been closely followed by the public and media.
On her 5th birthday, Meghan Markle shared a photo of her daughter Lilibet on Instagram, causing a stir in the royal family: "My daughter is all grown up now. Just look at her red hair, and you'll know who Lilibet's father is..." See more below 👇
Her ethnicity is a blend of African-American and Caucasian descent, which has admittedly been a significant aspect of her identity throughout her life. On her mother's side, Meghan is African-American. Doria Ragland, who she maintains a close relationship with, is of African-American descent.
Meghan took to Instagram Friday to share a never-before-seen family photo featuring herself, Harry, and their two kids, Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, who goes by Lili.
Megan had a radical hysterectomy years ago so they must have used surrogates but if they didn't use Harry's sperm they won't be included in the line of succession. According to protocol all Royal babies are subject to DNA testing.
Meghan Markle is looking back at a heartbreaking chapter in her story. The Duchess of Sussex, who shares Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, with Prince Harry, opened up about her July 2020 miscarriage, detailing the difficult feelings that come from such a loss.
"It has never been officially confirmed whether the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children have met Princess Lilibet,” HELLO!'s royal correspondent, Danielle Stacey, said.
A royal biographer and editor wrote that Queen Elizabeth reportedly told friends she thought Meghan Markle's wedding dress was "too white." The monarch felt that such a gown wasn't appropriate for a divorcee who was remarrying, the reports suggest.