Buckingham Palace is reportedly reconsidering the royal title of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex because the punctuation is the same as in the titles of women who have divorced royal men.

After announcing Prince Harry and Meghan would be stepping away from the front lines of the royal family, palace insiders were left scrambling to decide how to balance the couple’s titles against their desire for a more private life.

Ultimately it was decided the two would go on as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – but would lose the ability to refer to themselves as his or her royal highness (HRH).

However, staff are now reviewing the pair’s new titles after the comma in Meghan, Duchess of Sussex was highlighted as suggesting the former actress had been divorced by Prince Harry, according to Sky News.

A Buckingham Palace source said they would confirm in due course how the couple’s names will be styled in future, the broadcaster reported.

World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Show all 24 1 /24 World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Italy World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Argentina World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Belgiam World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Brazil World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Chile World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Belgiam World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK

Both Harry’s mother and the former wife of Prince Andrew were given commas after they were stripped of their HRH titles – going by Diana, Princess of Wales and Sarah, Duchess of York from then on.

The Independent has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.

It comes after Prince Harry said there was “no other option” for the pair than to stand down from royal duties, in a speech referring to the “powerful force” of the media.

The Duke of Sussex explained he and his wife had made the decision during a private dinner at an event for his Sentebale mental health charity in London on Sunday night.

The Duke of Sussex has reportedly flown back to Canada to be reunited with his wife and baby son after his decision to step back from royal life was endorsed by the charity’s chairman.

“I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share – not as a prince or a duke but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years, but with a clearer perspective,” he told guests.

“The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change. I have grown up feeling support from so many of you, and I watched as you welcomed Meghan with open arms as you saw me find the love and happiness that I had hoped for all my life. Finally, the second son of Diana got hitched.