Meghan Markle recently communicated her preferences regarding how she wishes to be addressed by personnel involved with the Invictus Games, revealing a no-nonsense three-word guideline.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their way to Canada last February, gearing up for the Invictus Games scheduled for Vancouver and Whistler in 2025.
Scott Moore was appointed as CEO of the Invictus Games last year, tasked with organizing this remarkable winter competition.
Speaking about his interactions with the couple, who famously stepped back from their royal responsibilities in 2020, Moore shared insights about their meeting.
He specifically mentioned that he was curious about how to greet them.
During this meeting, Meghan clarified her preference, stating, “Ma’am is fine,” according to Moore’s account to the Daily Mail.
Similarly, he learned that addressing Prince Harry as “Sir” would also be appropriate.
In an earlier interview, Moore explained, “I did make sure to ask how I should be addressing them when they get here, and I was told that simple sir and ma’am is fine.”
Traditionally, the members of the royal family are initially addressed with “Your Royal Highness” before the use of “Sir” or “Ma’am.” However, since renouncing their roles within the royal family, Harry and Meghan still hold onto their titles but have agreed not to use them for commercial gain, adhering to the terms set upon their departure.
This isn’t entirely new territory for the couple; reports have surfaced before about their preferences around titles.
A month prior to this year’s Invictus Games, Vanity Fair published a revealing cover story that detailed some controversial claims.
Among them was the assertion that some former staff members were instructed to use titles like sir or ma’am when addressing the couple, despite their departure from royal duties.
The article noted, “Some people familiar with the production of Archetypes and Harry’s book tour said they were instructed to address the couple as sir or ma’am, though this directive was dropped in one case after someone pushed back.
Others noted that Harry and Meghan encouraged first-name usage instead.”
It seems Meghan’s directives for addressing her are straightforward, yet they have sparked discussion.
Just before heading to the Invictus Games, she compared her and Harry’s recent Netflix partnership to that of Barack and Michelle Obama.
During an address at the Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, Meghan highlighted the significance of their deal, reflecting on its evolution.
She excitedly relayed, “My husband and I were in an overall deal with Netflix, and similar to Higher Ground with the Obamas, once that had come to its end, the renewal was an incredible affirmation of our partnership’s strength, now transitioning into a first-look deal.”
Her comments underscored not only their professional journey but also their endeavors beyond traditional royal roles.
In light of these events, it’s clear that while Meghan and Harry have distanced themselves from the royal spotlight, the nuances of their titles and roles continue to fuel interest.
The way they choose to be addressed may highlight a blend of maintaining royal heritage while embracing a more modern, personal approach in their post-royal life.
As the couple navigates this new phase, it’s intriguing to see how they manage their identities, balancing their royal pasts with their current aspirations.
It will be fascinating to watch how their stories unfold in the coming years, especially in light of their notable collaborations and public engagements.
