Meghan Markle has once again stirred up discussions, this time over something seemingly as simple as how she prefers to be addressed.
According to Scott Moore, CEO of the Invictus Games, Meghan's expectations are clear and straightforward. When Moore inquired about the appropriate way to address her, he received a succinct reply: "Ma'am is fine." Prince Harry, on the other hand, has a much more relaxed title request; he's simply "Sir." Though this might sound like a reasonable formality, royal watchers find it noteworthy, especially given Meghan and Harry’s reputation for rebelling against royal tradition. The irony lies in Meghan's demand for a formal address when she and Harry have made headlines for pushing back against the protocols and privileges of royal life.
Meghan’s choice to be addressed as "Ma'am" strikes many as contradictory. She has often presented herself as a figure willing to break royal norms, yet here she is, insisting on a courtesy typically reserved for those within the royal circle. This demand has puzzled some royal followers, both in the UK and abroad, who question why Meghan, having distanced herself from royal duties, would still cling to the privileges associated with royalty. For many, titles and forms of address go beyond personal preference; they carry historical and cultural significance. When Meghan and Harry stepped back from royal roles in 2020, they relinquished their "Your Royal Highness" styles, along with other royal perks and obligations. Given this context, Meghan's insistence on the deference of "Ma'am" seems somewhat incongruous.
Royal protocol dictates that senior royal women are typically addressed as "Your Royal Highness" initially, and then as "Ma'am" in subsequent interactions. For Meghan, who is no longer a working royal, demanding this formality seems out of place. It's especially notable when contrasted with Harry's approach at a 2020 tourism conference in Edinburgh, where he famously told attendees, "Just call me Harry." This sentiment was seen as an attempt to embrace a more grounded identity, free from the trappings of royal status. Yet now, it seems Harry too has shifted, accepting the title "Sir" in formal contexts, which has only added to the intrigue around the couple's current stance on titles.
The setting in which this title preference surfaced – the Invictus Games – adds another layer to the story. Despite Prince Harry's prominent role with the Games, they have seen significant support from the royal family, including a generous £1 million donation from Prince William in 2021. Many speculate this contribution has helped sustain the Games, sparking questions about why Harry and Meghan, who have distanced themselves from royal life, would retain royal-style titles in this context. Fans of the Princess of Wales, Catherine, can’t help but compare Meghan's approach to Catherine’s. Known for her down-to-earth demeanor, Catherine doesn't specify how people should address her, yet she commands respect effortlessly. She has managed to win over the public without resorting to demands for formalities, which further fuels the debate around Meghan’s insistence on protocol.
Meghan’s "Ma'am" preference has predictably caused a stir among royal fans, especially those attentive to royal etiquette. The late Queen Elizabeth II, who upheld every detail of royal protocol meticulously, might have found this insistence unusual for someone who stepped away from the royal lifestyle. While a title like "Your Grace" or "My Lady" might align more closely with the formality of royal protocol, the choice of "Ma'am" feels to some like a nod to a royal status Meghan no longer holds. To critics, this choice reflects an attempt to hold onto the trappings of royalty, even as she claims to have left that life behind.
