Meghan claims 'royals put pressure on Queen over brand ban as Harry is favourite'

Meghan Markle believes some royals are jealous Prince Harry is the Queen's 'favourite' and put pressure on her to ban them using 'royal' in their branding out of jealousy, it has been claimed.

She also apparently fears she and Harry are being 'picked on' over their wish to step down from the royal family and the Palace's restrictions are 'payback' for them quitting.

The former Hollywood actress allegedly complained to her closest confidants about the issue before releasing her extraordinary statement on Friday, complaining they are being treated differently to other royals.

"Meghan said that [she and Harry] were left with no choice but to make a public statement," a friend told the Mail Online.  

"She said if anyone should feel insulted, it should be them. They never intended to capitalise on the word royal, and to insinuate they were somehow abusing their privileges is absurd."

The Duke of Sussex is currently in Edinburgh for final engagements as a working royal before the official split in the spring, but the Duchess will not be travelling to Scotland and instead catch up with him in London.

The insider told the Mail Meghan has no issues about being in the UK after their 'abdication' following a bombshell statement in January revealing their desire to quit as royals.

The source went on to say: "Meghan is going straight to London, not Edinburgh because that's Harry's thing.

"She said she and Harry will continue to rise above jealousy and pettiness and focus on the good they are creating and on being the best parents to Archie.

"She said she will continue to champion Harry because out of everyone, he has the most integrity and the most loyalty."

Meghan also believes Her Majesty was "under pressure to make those demands about the name change", as Harry is her "favourite and others just can't deal with it", the friend added.

Last week, the Queen banned them using the word 'royal' in their Sussex Royal 'branding' with the Mail previously reporting Meghan had grumbled to friends there was nothing "legally stopping" them defying her.

The statement released in retaliation by the Sussexes, who could be set to make millions in foreign endorsements, said neither the Monarchy nor the Cabinet has "jurisdiction" over use of the word 'royal' overseas - adding, however, they would not be using the term.

"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."

Buckingham Palace's earlier briefer statement had, meanwhile, read: "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.

"Per the agreement The Duke and Duchess of Sussex understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties and not undertake representative duties on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen."