Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen to provide their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with the last name 'Sussex,' using their royal title as a surname. This decision comes amidst criticism and backlash over the couple's new website. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made this choice in order to create unity within the family, as reported by the Times of London.
Since King Charles III's coronation in May 2023, the children have been known as the Sussexes, and this decision is seen as similar to how Prince Harry was referred to as Captain Wales during his military service. The intention behind this surname change is to symbolize the family's unification, which is a proud moment for them.
The couple's choice to use the Sussex title as their last name for their children also reflects their desire to be inclusive. Their non-profit foundation and production company are named Archewell, inspired by their son's name, and they wanted to incorporate Lilibet's identity by using the Sussex name on their website.
In terms of their website, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently rebranded it and now redirect users to Sussex.com. The site features their royal titles and the coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Some critics argue that this move shows the couple's reluctance to fully let go of their past life, as they resigned from their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California.
Despite the criticism, a source close to the couple defended their decision, stating that they are, in fact, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and that it is their legitimate surname and family name.
Regarding the use of the coat of arms on their website, the royal family apparently has no objections. In fact, it is regarded as routine and normal. The focus for Prince Harry is understandably on the health and well-being of his father, who recently received a cancer diagnosis, and his sister-in-law, who is recovering from abdominal surgery.
The insider further explains that the use of the coat of arms is not problematic for anyone in the royal household. They cite various companies that utilize the royal warrant coat of arms for commercial purposes, making it a common occurrence.
To avoid any conflicts, Sussex.com focuses on being an umbrella for good causes and does not include the word 'royal' on the site. This ensures that there is no violation of anyone's wishes, including the late Queen Elizabeth II's demand that the couple cease using Sussex Royal to promote their charitable work after stepping back from their royal roles.
