A source close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has hit back after the couple launched a new website that uses their Sussex title and royal crest.
The Duke and Duchess found themselves at the centre of a row after being accused of using their title and crest for what appeared to be commercial purposes after replacing their Archewell webpage with a site called Sussex.com.
The launch of the ‘gauche’ new website, which went live yesterday evening, fuelled speculation that they are trying to reinvigorate their media careers. But a source close to the couple brushed off the claims and defended the use of their royal titles.
They said: ‘Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name.’
There appeared to be no mention of the the phrase ‘serving the monarchy’ – which was prominent on their previous website SussexRoyal.com, launched in 2020.
Meanwhile, others warned that the webpage, which includes biographies about the pair and lists their recent activities, could provoke complaints from the Palace.
One source said: ‘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.’
In 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.
The new homepage of Sussex.com features an image of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in September 2023
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal crest features prominently on the new Sussex.com website and could cause tensions as a result
The new homepage for ‘The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ went live yesterday evening.
It features glowing biographies for both Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, as well as the latest news about the pair.
The Duke is described as a ‘humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmental campaigner’.
His wife is hailed as a ‘feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity’.
The Sussexes’ online rebranding comes amid speculation that they may be seeking new production companies to work with.
Their £18million deal with Spotify recently came to an end, and there have been rumours that streaming giant Netflix may not renew its £80million contract with them.
The website is operated by ‘The Office of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ and is a ‘one-stop shop’ for all their activities.
It comes ahead of the couple’s trip to Canada for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go celebrations.
During the event, which will take place between Wednesday and Friday this week, Prince Harry is expected to make a speech where he will tell how special the country is to him and wife Meghan.
Their ‘About’ page reads: ‘The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex is shaping the future through business and philanthropy’
The Sussex.com website contains flowery descriptions of the Duke and Duchess
Harry will tell crowds of his fond memories of their time spent on Vancouver Island after leaving their official royal duties in 2019, according to The Telegraph.
The couple are said to have relished their time there while being free from the presence of the media and pressures of royal life.
The Duke has previously spoken about how Canada felt like home to him and that ‘we (him and Meghan) could imagine spending the rest of our lives there’.
Sussex.com is minimalistic by design and features a large photograph of the couple on the home page.
It has links to the Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions website, as well as the controversial sussexroyal.com website launched in 2020 to coincide with their decision to step back as working royals.
It is thought the Duke and Duchess will use the site to share their personal and official updates, keeping people informed through the ‘News’ section.
Their ‘About’ page reads: ‘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 organizations which receive the support of the couple, individually and/or together.’
Harry and Meghan’s previous website Sussexroyal.com (pictured) included the phrase ‘serving the monarchy’ – but this does not appear on the new website
The couple also have a website for the Archewell Foundation (archewell.org) which is still live
There is also a website for Archewell Productions (archewellproductions.com) still live
There is also a page dedicated to Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, detailing their backgrounds and achievements.
Prince Harry’s biography references his 10-years served in the British Armed Forces and as a New York Times bestselling author of Spare, ‘a memoir of his life told with compassion, vulnerability and unflinching honesty’.
Meghan’s biography refers to her advocacy work, her career in the entertainment industry as a lead role in the TV series ‘Suits’ and as a NY Times bestselling author of children’s book ‘The Bench’ and ‘Together: Our Community Kitchen’.
Their biographies include the line: ‘They are committed to their mission: Show Up, Do Good.
They hold the value that charitable work should not simply be ‘a handout, but rather a hand held’.
The Archewell Foundation was set up by the Duke and Duchess to ‘build meaningful initiatives’ and ‘drive long-term change’.
Archewell Productions was founded in 2020 and is ‘dedicated to illuminating thought-provoking and diverse narratives that underscore our common humanity and celebrate community.’
Prince Harry dashed to London from LA last week to see his father King Charles, who was recently diagnosed with cancer
The Duchess of Sussex (centre) prepared Afghan food together with 15 Afghan women now living in the US on Saturday
Following the announcement of the King’s illness on Monday, Prince Harry flew to London from California where he lives with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children.
The Duke of Sussex took a commercial British Airways flight from Los Angeles arriving at Buckingham Palace at 2.42pm.
He then spent around 45 minutes chatting with his father, which is thought to be their first proper contact in 15 months.
It was their first formal meeting in person since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.
The couple’s old website Sussexroyal.com also included this image on the ‘about’ section
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle joined 15 women who have resettled in the US from Afghanistan to cook traditional Afghan food over the weekend.
The Duchess of Sussex created The Welcome Project in 2023 together with the Archewell Foundation, which she set up together with Prince Harry.
The programme is supposed to create ‘a safe haven and inclusive environment for women who have recently resettled in the US from Afghanistan’, according to a press release by the Archewell Foundation.
