Meghan and Harry issue statement confirming they are scrapping the 'Sussex Royal' brand

In a lengthy statement on their website, the couple confirmed they have also removed their trademark application

(Image credit: Getty Images)

In a lengthy statement on their website, the couple confirmed they have also removed their trademark application

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer refer to themselves as 'royal' or use their SussexRoyal branding from spring 2020, they have confirmed in a statement on their website.

Both their website and Instagram account currently use the SussexRoyal branding, something we can now expect to over the next couple of months.

Earlier this month Harry and Meghan shared details of their last public engagements together in their capacity as working members of the royal family, as well as the date of their last official public appearance.

'We are pleased to now be able to share with you an update on many of the details agreed at a meeting of The Royal Family in January 2020, which outlines The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new roles, taking effect Spring 2020,' the statement reads.

'We had hoped to be allowed to share these details with you sooner (to mitigate any confusion and subsequent misreporting), but the facts below should help provide some clarification around this transition and the steps for the future.'

The statement confirmed that Meghan and Harry's new roles will come into effect in spring 2020 and undergo a 12-month review, as well as their wishes to be more independent and limit the media intrusion into their lives.

A photo posted by on

They will also become privately-funded members of the Royal Family and earn their own income, ceasing to draw on the Sovereign Grant, and will no longer use their HRH titles.

The statement also details that, although official royal duties will cease, Prince Harry will continue to support the military in an unofficial capacity, and that the family will continue to require security – although details of this must remain classified for security reasons.

'As The Duke and Duchess will no longer be considered full-time working Members of The Royal Family, it was agreed that use of the word "Royal" would need to be reviewed as it pertains to organisations associated with them in this new regard.'

The statement continued: 'The creation of [their] non-profit entity will be in addition to their cause driven work that they remain deeply committed to.

'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 that their non-profit organisation will not utilise the name ‘Sussex Royal’ or any other iteration of "Royal"

'For the above reason, the trademark applications that had been filed as protective measures and that reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been removed.

'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex eagerly await the opportunity to share more with you and greatly appreciate your support!'

We look forward to hearing all about Meghan and Harry's new projects very soon.

Ally Head
Senior Health, Sustainability and Relationships Editor

Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health, Sustainability, and Relationships Editor, nine-time marathoner, and Boston Qualifying runner. Day-to-day, she works across site strategy, features, and e-commerce, reporting on the latest health updates, writing the must-read health and wellness content, and rounding up the genuinely sustainable and squat-proof gym leggings worth *adding to basket*. She's won a BSME for her sustainability work, regularly hosts panels and presents for events like the Sustainability Awards, and saw nine million total impressions on the January 2023 Wellness Issue she oversaw. Follow Ally on Instagram for more or get in touch.