EXCLUSIVE'Sussex is their surname and family name. That is a fact': Harry and Meghan sources hit back over new website which uses their Royal titles and coat of arms but makes NO mention of the monarchy - as critics warn it could be shut down
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.
The Duke is described as a 'humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmental campaigner'.
His wife Meghan 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 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.
It also says he has 'dedicated his adult life to advancing causes that he is passionate about and that advance permanent change for people and places'.
The profile states that he founded the Invictus Games Foundation, describing it as a 'globally celebrated display of resilience, community and athleticism that has won acclaim for its impact in celebrating those that serve'.
Harry is also stated as the 'founder and/or patron of a number of global charities and organisations' including Travalyst, Senebale and WellChild, and that he sits on the board of African Parks.
His appointment in 2021 as 'chief impact officer' at coaching firm BetterUp is also cited, as well as how he served on the Aspen Institute Commission on Information Disorder.
Referring to the Archewell Foundation, it says he co-founded this alongside Meghan 'to serve communities in need', adding: 'The Duke and Duchess are committed to their mission: Show Up, Do Good.
Prince Harry dashed to London from LA last week to see his father King Charles, who was recently diagnosed with cancer
'They hold the value that charitable work should not simply be 'a handout, but rather a hand held'.'
The Duke is also listed as living in California 'with his wife Meghan, and their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet'.
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'.
Her biography also includes the line: 'They are committed to their mission: Show Up, Do Good.'.
It adds: 'They hold the value that charitable work should not simply be 'a handout, but rather a hand held', a phrase Meghan first adopted in supporting UK charity Smart Works, of which she is patron, that supports women to enter the workforce.'
The Archewell Foundation is said to have been set up by the Duke and Duchess to 'build meaningful initiatives' and 'drive long-term change'.
Archewell Productions was founded in 2020 and is said to be 'dedicated to illuminating thought-provoking and diverse narratives that underscore our common humanity and celebrate community.'
The biography states that her 'lifelong advocacy for women and girls remains a constant thread in her humanitarian and business ventures'.
Meghan is also cited as having 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.'
The Duchess of Sussex (centre) prepared Afghan food together with 15 Afghan women now living in the US on Saturday
The biography says her 'advocacy work on resilience, equality, and compassion through action has been recognized – alongside that of her husband, Prince Harry – with the NAACP President's Award as well as the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award'.
The Duchess is listed as having been 'born and raised in Southern California', before attending 'Los Angeles based all-girls Catholic School, Immaculate Heart, which she continues to support as an alumna, before moving to Chicago to attend Northwestern University'.
It says that while there, she 'double majored in Theater and International Relations, and went on to intern at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as well as to study abroad in Madrid, Spain'.
The biography adds that after graduation, Meghan 'turned her focus to the entertainment industry, later securing a lead role on the hit series, 'Suits' which she starred in for seven seasons'.
It also states that 'between filming, Meghan travelled to Rwanda, India, and other countries to support humanitarian missions' – and she 'served in key roles such as: UN Women's Advocate for Women's Political Participation and Leadership, a World Vision Global Ambassador, and a leading Counsellor to One Young World. Meghan also travelled to support the military community on a USO Tour, visiting six military bases in seven days including Bagram, Afghanistan'.
The profile goes on to state that in 2018, 'Meghan married Prince Harry, becoming The Duchess of Sussex'.
She is said to have 'written for a number of publications and created the lifestyle website, 'The Tig' – and 'guest edited British Vogue in July 2019, which was the fastest selling copy in the magazine's history'.
Meghan is listed as having launched 'Archetypes' in 2022, which is described as a 'record-breaking podcast exploring the labels that hold women back'.
It states that Archetypes 'debuted at Number 1' in the US, UK, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and was the 'Number 1 podcast' in 47 countries.
It says that after its first season, Archetypes was awarded The People's Choice Award in the podcast category, as well as The Gracie Award for Best Podcast.
Meghan is also described as a 'NY Times Best Selling author, publishing the acclaimed children's book, 'The Bench', and 'Together: Our Community Kitchen' a collaborative publication with the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen in the UK, who were displaced after the tragic Grenfell Fire'.
The couple's old website Sussexroyal.com also included this image on the 'about' section
The Duchess is said to be 'a major advocate for mental health, family care, and gender equity'. The biography also says she 'hopes to be a cultural catalyst for positive change, reflecting her core belief that representation matters, and that communities can be enhanced through learning, healing, and inspirational support'.
It also says Meghan 'lives in California with her husband and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet'.
Following the announcement of the King's illness on Monday of last week, Harry flew to London from California where he lives with Meghan 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.
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.
