Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have given their children the Sussex title as their last name amid backlash over the couple’s new website, Page Six can confirm.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to use their title as the surname of their son, Prince Archie, 4, and daughter, Princess Lilibet, 2, instead of being known as the Mountbatten-Windsors in order to unify the family, according to the Times of London.
A source told the British newspaper that the kids have been known as the Sussexes since King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023. The insider noted that the kids taking on the Sussex moniker is no different from Harry being called Captain Wales when he served in the military.
“The reality behind the new site is very simple — it’s a hub for the work the Sussexes do and it reflects the fact the family have, since the king’s coronation, the same surname for the first time,” the source said, adding, “That’s a big deal for any family. It represents their unification and it’s a proud moment.”
Insiders said that because their foundation and production company are called Archewell, inspired by their son’s name, Harry and Markle wanted to be inclusive to Lilibet with their Sussex website.
The pair’s decision to have their kids use the Sussex title as their last name comes after they rebranded their site, which features their royal titles and the UK coat of arms.
The prince, 39, and the former “Suits” star, 42, had previously used the domains Sussexroyal.com and Archewell.com to update the public on their philanthropic endeavors.
However, the websites now redirect users to their newly launched Sussex.com, which reads, “The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan The Duke and Duchess of Sussex” under the coat of arms.
Several critics slammed the duo for continuing to cling to their past life after resigning from their royal duties in 2020 and moving their family to Montecito, Calif.
A source close to the couple defended them, though, telling the Daily Mail, “Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name.”
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As for the use of the coat of arms, another insider told the Times that the royal family has no issue with the use of the symbol on their website.
“It isn’t any sort of problem for the rest of the royal family. It hasn’t even been part of a conversation. Harry is more concerned about the health and well-being of the king and Kate [Middleton] and thinks that is where the focus should be,” the second insider told the paper, referring to Harry’s father’s recent cancer diagnosis and his sister-in-law’s recovery from abdominal surgery.
“There certainly hasn’t been any problem raised about the use of a coat of arms by anyone at the royal household — why would they object when it’s perfectly normal and is pretty routine?” the insider continued.
“Lots of people are familiar with the Duchy of Cornwall products in the shops, and there are about 800 companies using the royal warrant coat of arms for commercial reasons.”
The insider said Sussex.com is just “an umbrella for good causes” and that there is no use of the word “royal” on the site to “ensure there could be no conflict with anyone’s wishes.”
The source may have been referring to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s demand that Harry and Markle cease using Sussex Royal to promote their charitable work upon leaving their royal roles.