Meghan Markle has given a blunt response to reports that she erased her first names from Archie's birth certificate.

Reports circulated yesterday that Prince Harry and Meghan secretly removed her birth names "Rachel Meghan" on birth papers, leaving "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex".

Meghan slammed these claims and blamed the Palace for the name changes, with a spokesperson claiming to Page Six: “The change of name on public documents in 2019 was dictated by The Palace, as confirmed by documents from senior Palace officials. This was not requested by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex nor by The Duke of Sussex.”

British media speculated that the move was a snub to the Cambridges, who include Duchess Kate's names on her children's birth certificates.

It was also speculated that Prince Harry could have been following his mother Princess Diana's trend who always used "Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales".

Lady Colin Campbell, who spotted the amendment, said: “It is extraordinary and raises all kinds of questions about what the Sussexes were thinking.”

Expert Ingrid Seward said: “For a royal to change a birth certificate is unprecedented but to remove forenames is remarkable.

“Perhaps this is another sign they were desperate to do something different to the Cambridges.”