According to a royal source, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s right to use the word ‘royal’ in their brand, Sussex Royal, is being reviewed by the Queen and senior officials. If the final decision is to block the use of the name, it will be a blow to the couple, who have registered Sussex Royal as a trademark internationally on items including clothing, stationery, books and teaching materials.

Meghan and Harry are still the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but gave up their ‘Royal Highness’ titles when they decided to resign as working royals earlier this year.

The couple announced plans to “transition into a new working model” and become financially independent of the Royal Family at the same time they submitted an application for a trademark on the Sussex Royal name.

However an aide to the Queen warned the Duke and Duchess against using the term, it was reported.

Thomas Woodcock, Garter King of Arms, told The Times: “I don’t think it’s satisfactory. One cannot be two things at once. You either are [royal] or you’re not.

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“It is such unusual times that it is a matter of waiting and seeing how things develop.”

When the Sussexes agreed their historic ‘divorce’ deal with the Queen, Buckingham Palace said there were still some areas which required work and consultation.

The couple’s use of the word ‘royal’ is thought to be one of them.

If it is decided the couple must abandon the branding, they will likely have to re-name their website, re-register as a new business, change their social media handles and start from scratch with re-branding.

According to a Daily Mail source, the couple have also taken steps to set up a new charitable organisation – Sussex Royal, The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – which would also have to be re-named.

The source said: “In many ways this is inevitable given their decision to step down, but it must surely come as a blow to the couple as they have invested everything into the Sussex Royal brand The Queen would have had little choice, however.

“The Sussexes’ original plan – of being half-in, half-out working royals – was never going to work.

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“Obviously, as the Queen has made clear, they are still much-loved members of her family.

“But if they aren’t carrying out official duties and are now seeking other commercial opportunities, they simply cannot be allowed to market themselves as royals.”

Harry and Meghan left for Canada with their son Archie after the royal exit announcement.

Since then, it has been announced that the couple were closing their office at Buckingham Palace, leading to some of its 15 employees becoming redundant.

The office, based in Buckingham Palace, was expected to remain open as a base for their charity work, but it seems the couple have decided to cut all ties.

The Palace is reportedly trying to reassign some of the staff within the royal household, but there are likely to be some redundancies.

For fans of the Sussexes, it’s seen as the final sign the couple isn’t planning on coming back.

Friends of the couple have said they are beginning to settle into their new life and are enjoying life in Canada.

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