Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen to adopt the surname “Sussex” for their children, Archie and Lilibet, in a move to solidify unity within the family.
Instead of being known as Archie Mountbatten Windsor and Lilibet Mountbatten Windsor, they have been referred to as Archie Sussex and Lilibet Sussex since King Charles’ coronation last May, according to a source cited by The Times.
The couple’s decision to use the Sussex title as a surname for their children has come to light amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s re-branded royal website, Sussex.com.
Critics have raised concerns about the website, featuring Meghan’s coat of arms, alleging that it breaches a promise made to the late Queen when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their frontline royal duties.
On February 12, 2024, Harry and Meghan quietly unveiled their revamped website under the new name Sussex.com, replacing its previous identity as Archwall.com.
The homepage of the site now proudly proclaims itself as “The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
Meanwhile, the About page details their commitment to shaping the future through business and philanthropy via the Archwall Foundation, Archwall Productions, Patronages, Ventures, and Organizations that receive the couple’s support.
Unsurprisingly, Buckingham Palace is reportedly displeased with the new look of the Sussex website, with a palace insider expressing discontent over the changes.
Despite this, any potential retaliation from the palace is deemed unlikely at present, given that the health of King Charles III, Harry’s father, remains the primary concern.
The shift in branding by Harry and Meghan has sparked criticism, with accusations of exploiting their royal titles for personal gain despite their prior agreement not to do so.
When the couple stepped back from royal life in 2020, they had committed to refraining from leveraging their titles for financial or personal benefits, leading to the suspension of their previous website, SussexRoyal.com.
Their latest actions are viewed as an attempt to capitalize on the royal association bestowed upon them by the late Queen, contradicting their earlier stance.
The couple’s approach is seen as contradictory, considering their past criticisms of the monarchy and their purported disdain for royal traditions, exemplified by their recent interactions with republican figures in Jamaica.
Contrary to initial beliefs, the rebranding of the Sussex website was not orchestrated in collaboration with LA-based agents WME, signaling a potential shift in their professional partnerships.
Additionally, Lady Louise, the future Duchess of Sussex, has made a decisive move to restrict Harry and Meghan’s access to Sussex land following their announcement of the title change.
Lady Louise, born to Prince Edwin and Sophie, has been raised away from the public eye, prioritizing privacy and normalcy.
Her elevation to the title of Duchess of Sussex was a strategic decision by King Charles, seeking to restore honor to the Sussex legacy tarnished by Harry and Meghan’s controversial tenure.
With the support of key advisers like Princess Anne and Prince William, King Charles finalized the decision to entrust Lady Louise with this pivotal role.