Meghan Markle was urged not to use her HRH title when dealing with her various business ventures, just weeks after sparking backlash about still using it years after quitting the Royal Family. The Duchess of Sussex stepped down as a senior working royal with Prince Harry in early 2020, when they agreed not to use their HRH titles commercially.

Since then, Meghan has launched various business ventures, including her lifestyle brand As Ever and podcast series, Confessions with a Female Founder.

But she raised eyebrows last month after she appeared to be still using her HRH title, five years after quitting the Firm. The controversy sparked after it emerged she sent a gift basket to make-up entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima last year, with a monogrammed card reading: "With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex". Now, a royal expert urged the Duchess not to use her HRH publicly in any of her business ventures.

Royal commentator Jennie Bond told the Mirror: "I think she’s determined to show that she is a strong character and, from relatively humble beginnings, she has become a successful actress, and now an influencer and entrepreneur.

"I think she’s anxious to be seen as a successful businesswoman in her own right – and not just because she has lived briefly inside the palace walls and has a royal title."

Ms Bond added: "That message might, perhaps, come over more clearly if she resisted using her title and her HRH in her business and personal dealings.

"Nevertheless, there’s no denying that she has had a fruitful TV career and is now pursuing any number of ambitious projects in the business world."

Last month, sources close to Meghan said she used her HRH style privately but not for commercial purposes, describing the basket as a "personal gift".

As part of their Megxit negotiations with the Palace, Meghan and the Duke of Sussex agreed to stop using "Her Royal Highness" and "His Royal Highness" at the end of March 2020.

They still retain the styles, with Harry having had his since birth, but they are essentially held in abeyance, as is the case for the Duke of York, who also no longer uses his HRH style.