Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have come under fire for breaking their promise not to use the Sussex Royal label in 2020.
Despite stepping down as senior royals and agreeing not to use the title, their Sussex Royal website remains active and has not been updated to acknowledge the death of Queen Elizabeth II, according to Mail Online.
The couple invested a significant amount of money in the design of the website, which includes a section pledging their commitment to the monarchy.
However, this section has not been updated to reflect the passing of the Queen or the ascension of Harry’s father, King Charles III.
It is unclear who operates or owns the website, as it has been kept anonymous by GoDad, a US web hosting company.
Royal watchers and critics have expressed their astonishment and frustration at the continued existence of the Sussex Royal website.
One observer pointed out that the couple had agreed not to use the Sussex Royal name moving forward, while another sarcastically highlighted the fact that, according to the website, the late queen is still very much alive.
An insider close to Meghan and Harry’s staff revealed that the reason behind the website’s persistence is their intention to link their fanbase on this platform to another of their pages.
This strategic move is believed to serve their future business endeavors.
The couple’s reluctance to delete the website suggests a deliberate choice to maintain a connection with their followers and potentially prepare for a relaunch.
Critics argue that keeping the Sussex Royal website active is disrespectful to Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and an exploitation of her memory.
This sentiment is further fueled by previous incidents, such as Meghan’s curtsy in the Netflix docuseries and the alteration of Queen Elizabeth’s historic 1947 speech for their failed Commonwealth Empire 2.0 project.
In addition to the Sussex Royal website, the Archwell Foundation website also remains inactive, lacking even a donate button.
This pattern of setting up websites and then neglecting them raises questions about the couple’s follow-through and commitment to their initiatives.
Furthermore, their Instagram page, Sussex Royal, which once boasted 11.2 million followers, has also experienced a decline, losing 2 million followers over the course of three years.
This indicates a waning interest in the couple’s activities and suggests a potential disconnect between them and their audience.
The launch of the Sussex Royal website in 2020 caused distress within the royal family and palace officials.
Meghan and Harry had also attempted to register Sussex Royal as a global trademark for various products.
However, after discussions with the Queen, they accepted that they would not be able to use the Sussex Royal name as they had initially planned.
The persistence of the Sussex Royal website, despite their promises and the changing dynamics within the royal family, raises questions about Meghan and Harry’s intentions and their commitment to their new roles outside of the monarchy.
It remains to be seen how they will address these concerns and whether they will take steps to align their online presence with their current circumstances.