The Queen has used her iron fist with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry after they announced their intention to step back as senior royals. The monarch prohibited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from using the word ‘royal’ as part of their brand name, which sparked a hostile reply from Meghan and Harry. 

The Queen’s decision to draw the line on the possibility of the Duke and Duchess’s connection with the Royal Family for profit indicated the power she holds within her family.

According to Princess Diana’s former private secretary, Patrick Jephson, this power is rarely used by the Queen, as members of the Royal Family trembles at the mere idea of displeasing her.

He told Vanity Fair: “The Queen’s disciplinary power within her family is seldom mentioned and seldom used.

“The mere threat of her displeasure is enough to keep the troops in line most of the time. 

“When something more emphatic is required in defense of the dynasty, she does what’s necessary.”

The Queen has demonstrated with her commitment to the Crown and her life-long work she is ready to put duty before family in order to protect the monarchy.

Mr Jephson continued: “People are reassured when she acts to protect the monarchy.

“It’s an institution that occasionally has to demonstrate robust self-belief to remain credible as a focus of national unity.

“Perhaps it’s her longevity but the Queen has a gift for keeping problems in perspective.

“Her instincts are humane, cautious and pragmatic.”

While the Queen has prevented Meghan and Harry from continuing to use the brand Sussex Royal, she has also showed her love for the couple and left a door open for a possible return within the next 12 months.

The monarch allowed the Sussexes to retain their titles and announced she won’t appoint anyone to fill Prince Harry’s honorary military roles for the time being.

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told Vanity Fair: “By ruling against their use of the Sussex Royal brand, she drew the line on exploiting their royal connection for profit.

“I think in the process she has showed the sort of flexibility and adherence to standards that strengthen the monarchy.” 

However, Meghan and Harry appeared critical of the Queen’s decision to ban their brand name and stripped them of the chance to carry out royal duties after March 31.

In a lengthy statement published on Friday night, the Sussexes said: “The preference of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was to continue to represent and support Her Majesty The Queen albeit in a more limited capacity, while not drawing on the Sovereign Grant.”

And, speaking about their brand name, they added: “The creation of this 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.

“While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020.”      

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