Glaring omission from Meghan and Harry’s new website as it’s slammed by critics
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched a new website - but it's what it doesn't say that has caught people's attention.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s previous site, Archewell, now automatically redirects to Sussex.com, which consistently refers to the couple by their official royal titles. It features a photograph of the pair, with the text 'The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex', alongside a royal coat of arms.
A source close to the royals hit back after the pair were criticised for using them - after previously eschewing them. They said: 'Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name.'
The pair have been criticised for their use of royal titles and brandingIn individual biographies of the couple, Harry is highlighted as a “humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate, and environmental campaigner” - but not as a member of the Royal Family.
Neither is Meghan, who is described as a “feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity” who has been named “one of the most influential women in the world” across a series of rankings.
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One source told the Mail: 'They are going to have real trouble with the use of Sussex. It is a royal title and if there is any hint of commercialism about this it will be shut down. It's just staggering they cannot see how gauche it is.'
Prince Harry and Meghan have a new shiny websiteIn addition to Sussex.com and SussexRoyal.com, the couple also have websites for Archewell Productions (archewellproductions.com) and Archewell Foundation (archewell.org). The former Archewell.com website now redirects to Sussex.com.
In February 2002, a spokeswoman for the pair said they would no longer use the word royal, as in their Sussex Royal branding. The spokeswoman said: "While the duke and duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word royal, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation, when it is announced this spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ in any territory post-spring 2020. Therefore, the trademark applications that were filed as protective measures, acting on advice from and following the same model for The Royal Foundation, have been removed.”
On their new website, Prince Harry's bio says: "Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex is a humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate, and environmental campaigner. He has dedicated his adult life to advancing causes that he is passionate about and that advance permanent change for people and places." It promotes his new memoir as a tale "of his life told with compassion, vulnerability, and unflinching honesty."
Her bio adds: "Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex is a feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity. Her lifelong advocacy for women and girls remains a constant thread in her humanitarian and business ventures. She has been named one of the most influential women in the world in rankings including TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People, The Financial Times’ 25 Most Influential Women, Variety Power of Women, and British Vogue’s Vogue 25."
It also features a royal coat of arms.
In the “About” section, the website states: "The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex is shaping the future through business and philanthropy. This includes: The Archewell Foundation, Archewell Productions, patronages, ventures, and organisations which receive the support of the couple, individually and/or together.”
Archewell had replaced Harry and Meghan’s previous Sussex Royal brand after they quit royal duties.
The name was inspired by their son Archie – combining “arche”, the Greek word meaning source of action, and “well” as “a plentiful source or supply; a place we go to dig deep”.
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The new website links to the couple’s non-profit organisation the Archewell Foundation and their production company Archewell Productions.
The launch of the site comes as the King’s slimmed-down monarchy has been put under pressure in a way not seen before during his reign, with Charles postponing all public-facing duties due to his cancer diagnosis and the Princess of Wales out of action for the immediate future following abdominal surgery.
Harry, who lives in California with his wife and their two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – flew to the UK last week to meet with the King following his diagnosis.
He made the visit without Meghan and their children less than 24 hours after the announcement about Charles’ health was made to the nation by Buckingham Palace.
But there was no meeting with his brother, the Prince of Wales, after Harry spent around 45 minutes at Clarence House seeing their father.
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