Top royal official who will decide if Meghan and Harry must scrap website

14 February 2024 , 12:23

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Harry and Meghan's new website has been controversial to some (Image: GETTY)

When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped back as working royals in 2020, it was agreed that the word 'royal' wouldn't appear in any of their professional pursuits. This means their existing website and social media platforms - Sussex Royal - had to go.

But this week, the Sussexes have launched a new website, which features the coat of arms that Meghan was given back in 2018 when she married Harry and bills itself as 'The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex'. The site includes biographical information about the couple as well as their philanthropic and business ventures. However, reports have claimed that there is one royal official who has the influence to either try and force the couple's hand over the new website or "let it slide".

The couple's new website makes no explicit mention of the word 'royal', sticking to what their spokesperson confirmed back in 2020, that "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".

However, an anonymous source speaking to the Daily Mail claimed that the view held by some inside the royal household was that the couple was "really pushing it" with their new website, in terms of keeping the agreements they made back in 2020 not to profit directly from their royal associations.

This has created what the source called a "real headache" for the Lord Chamberlain, who is the top official who must decide what to do about it. An insider told the newspaper he must decide "whether to take the Sussexes to task or 'let it slide' in order to keep the already fragile family peace".

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The Queen banned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from using the word 'royal' (Getty Images)

Lord Parker of Minsmere is the outgoing Lord Chamberlain - the most senior officer found in the royal household, who conducts ceremonial duties and oversees the household. Lord Parker previously worked in the security service - MI5 - for 37 years.

Whilst the Lord Chamberlain may be the one with the power to officially decide if the new website has overstepped any agreements made between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, a source close to the couple has pointed out to the MailOnline "Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name."

Emma Mackenzie