The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took aim at the whole Royal Family in a sharp statement, according to a royal author, as a secret internal battle unfolded

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Meghan and Harry ‘offended’ the late Queen with a statement that ‘barely hid their resentment’ towards other family members, it has been claimed.

The Duchess has faced fresh scrutiny for using her royal cipher in branding for her lifestyle company, As Ever, but it’s not the first time debate has erupted over the couple using their royal status in commercial projects.

In promotional material for new Christmas collection, Meghan can be seen at her workspace with a notebook displaying her royal cipher in gold lettering. The monogram – showcasing the letter M topped with a coronet – was revealed before her 2018 marriage to Harry.

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She has also launched a fresh candle – No 519 – commemorating their wedding anniversary. “This signature candle is inspired by the ease and joy of a day that holds Meghan’s most cherished memories – her wedding day, May 19th,” the product description stated.

The move has sparked backlash from royal supporters who question why Meghan continues to use the royal cipher despite her grievances about her time within the institution, the Express US reports. And royal author Tom Bower claims senior royals and Buckingham Palace officials have long held worries about “monetizing the monarchy.”

Tensions reportedly became evident when Harry and Meghan were forced to drop their “SussexRoyal” brand ambitions. The Duke and Duchess stepped back from Royal duties in March 2020, achieving financial independence.

Two months prior, the couple expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision-making process and their treatment compared to other royals in a statement on their official website. The Sussexes maintained that the monarch had no authority to prevent them from using the term ‘royal’.

“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,” the statement read.

Bower claimed the statement was “spiteful” and “offensive to the Queen.” Speaking to the Daily Mail, he suggested that the announcement barely hid the Sussexes’ “simmering resentment” towards other family members, and included a subtle dig at “minor royals” Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

“While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place,” it continued.

Harry and Meghan initially adopted the Sussex Royal brand in 2019 when they separated their household from Prince William and Princess Kate’s, known as Kensington Royal. Their Instagram page, @sussexroyal, had amassed 11.2 million followers at that time, matching the supporter base of William and Kate’s account.

But the following year, it emerged that the Queen and senior officials had determined that the pair would need to relinquish their title. A source told the Mail: “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. 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.”