Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once more facing calls to be stripped of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles following what some consider a snub of Sussex Day.
The couple, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020, received the titles after their 2018 wedding.
Meghan, 43, became the first Duchess of Sussex in history, while Harry is only the second Duke of Sussex. Since receiving the titles, the pair have made just one joint visit to the county, a brief six-hour trip back in 2018.
Sussex Day Ignored Once Again
June 16 marks Sussex Day, a time to honor the region’s unique heritage and culture. But the couple’s absence and lack of public recognition of the day have sparked criticism.
Former Sussex MP Tim Loughton voiced his frustration to MailOnline, stating: “Yet again the interest of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the county from which they continue to use their title has been underwhelming, to say the least. It is time we had a Duke of Sussex who has a genuine interest in our county. Wishing Sussex residents a happy Sussex Day is hardly a tall order.”
Loughton added that the couple rarely visited the region even before relocating to California and have continued to show little involvement with Sussex since.
Focus Elsewhere on Sussex Day
Rather than acknowledging Sussex Day, Meghan used the date to unveil new developments for her lifestyle brand, As Ever. In a June 16 newsletter, she thanked followers for their overwhelming support after the brand’s successful debut.
“First off, a sincere thank you for making the debut of As Ever absolutely extraordinary,” Meghan wrote. “We had a feeling there would be excitement, but to see everything sell out in less than an hour was an amazing surprise.”
She also revealed the next product launch date: “We are pleased to share that on June 20th, we’re going live with the products you love – plus, some new delicious surprises. More details and exact timing will be shared soon.”
Prince Harry Speaks—But Not About Sussex
While Meghan focused on her business, Harry also made headlines on the same day, not for Sussex Day but for delivering a video message in fluent German. His message was in honor of Germany’s first-ever Veterans Day, further highlighting the couple’s absence from UK-related affairs.
Criticism surrounding their use of the Sussex title continues to grow, particularly among those who believe the couple has distanced themselves too far from the region to still hold such an honor.