Meghan Markle posted an emotional birthday tribute to her eldest child Archie on his sixth birthday on Tuesday – but she did not use his title.

Posting an image of her son gazing at the sea from a balcony during sunset, the mother-of-two shared that they celebrated an ‘incredibly special’ party for Archie last weekend.

In the caption alongside the photo, the Duchess of Sussex stated: ‘Our son. Our sun. Happy 6th birthday to Archie! We appreciate all the love, prayers, and warm wishes for our sweet boy. He’s six! Where did the time go?’

‘(And for all of you who came to celebrate with us at his party last weekend, thank you for making his birthday so incredibly special).’

Her post appeared after news emerged that Meghan still refers to herself as Her Royal Highness among friends. Late last month, the 43-year-old attracted attention when her friend Jamie Kern Lima posted a picture of a gift basket with a note stating it was from ‘HRH The Duchess of Sussex’.

However, a spokesperson for the Sussexes denied she is flouting the Megxit deal agreed with the late Queen. 

Although no laws were passed or documents signed to prevent their use, Harry and Meghan’s agreement with the late Queen and senior officials was that they would stop using the word ‘Royal’ and their HRH titles after they quit duties and emigrated to the US to become ‘financially independent’ from the Crown. 

Critics have said that the image of the note with some organic ice cream and jam, published, was a tacit plug for Meghan’s As Ever lifestyle range, while also promoting her new podcast episode with her friend Jamie.

Meghan Markle shared an image of Archie (pictured) to mark his sixth birthday. She did not use his royal title in the caption accompanying the snap

The post, which omitted the young royal’s title, comes after Meghan sparked controversy after it was revealed that she still calls herself Her Royal Highness to friends

A source close to the royal couple suggested that the image shared by Jamie Kern Lima was taken before the Duchess launched her As Ever brand in early March.

They added that while Meghan and Harry do not publicly use ‘HRH’, their titles remain.

In the podcast, Jamie Kern Lima claimed that she had been sent the jam last year.

The Sussexes have never had their HRH taken away by Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles.

A spokesman for the Sussexes told MailOnline that they do not use HRH titles for commercial purposes.  

However, Jamie’s hamper image suggests that Meghan does use it with friends and in personal correspondence.  

Meghan Markle is pictured with her eldest child, Archie, who celebrated his sixth birthday on May 6

The ‘HRH, The Duchess of Sussex’ note was spotted on a card by eagle-eyed royal fans last month.

The gift basket was sent to Meghan’s friend, CEO of IT Cosmetics Jamie, when she had in-laws staying and the Duchess wanted to help out.

A screenshot of the hamper has since circulated online after featuring on Jamie’s podcast on Sunday – and appears to feature the Duchess’ homemade strawberry spread.

The basket also includes two jars of Straus organic ice cream, some flowers, mint, and the note with Meghan’s royal title embellished on it.

Some royal fans reacted angrily, with one writing on X: ‘I thought they couldn’t use HRH?’

Another said: ‘She’s not to [use] it per the Queen!’

Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said: ‘I think if her late grandmother-in-law Queen Elizabeth was still around she would be highly offended, as she was very sensitive about that. 

The gift basket and HRH note was sent to Meghan’s friend, CEO of IT Cosmetics Jamie Kern Lima. Meghan’s spokesman denies that she is using it for commercial gain

‘The Queen didn’t remove HRH but told them not to use it. But she isn’t here anymore so maybe Harry and Meghan think they can get away with it.’

She told The Sun: ‘Remember she removed the HRH titles from both Diana and Sarah Ferguson’.

Buckingham Palace released a statement after Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in January 2020 to embark on a new life together in California.  

The statement said: ‘The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.’

HRH, an abbreviation of His/Her Royal Highness, is used as part of the title of some members of the royal family.