The Duchess of Sussex has broken her silence to defend new website Sussex.com after a barrage of criticism.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's “provocative” decision to relaunch their Archewell website, the umbrella name for all their philanthropic and business endeavors, as “Sussex.com” had sparked accusations that they were trying to be more “royal.”
Royal insiders told Web that the website, created by Canadian agency Article, made “no sense” and created a “blurred line between past and present” as the couple were told to give up their “Sussex” title in 2020 quitting after quitting as a professional Royals.
Responding to the criticism, Meghan said in a statement: “There's a reason I've worked with Ryan and the talented team at Article for a decade: their attention to detail, their creativity and care, and thoughtful approach to design and design .” the user experience.
“They’re not just designers; They are collaborators who transform your ideas into visual identities. You are a very special company. Plus they’re Canadian, so I’m a fan.”
Meghan today announced a new podcast deal with female-founded US podcast network Lemonada Media, which aims to “make life less crappy” with shows centered around sex, grief and LGBTQ issues.
The Duchess of Sussex has broken her silence to defend new website Sussex.com after a barrage of criticism
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in September 2023. The photo now appears on the sussex.com homepage
Their About page states: “The office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is shaping the future through business and philanthropy.”
Earlier this week, Prince Harry and Meghan unveiled their new website, Sussex.com, which modestly insists that the couple is “shaping the future through business and philanthropy.”
The website is operated by the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and is a “one-stop shop” for all their activities.
However, there is no reference in their biographies to their ties to the royal family – Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, is described as a “humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmental activist”.
Sussex.com has a minimalist design and features a large photo of the couple on the homepage.
It contains links to the Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions, as well as the controversial website sussexroyal.com, which was launched in 2020 to mark their decision to step down as working royals.
It is understood the Duke and Duchess will use the website to share their personal and official updates and keep people up to date via the What's New section.
Their About page states: “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 that receive the couple’s support individually and/or collectively.”
The new Sussex.com homepage features a picture of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in September 2023
The Duchess of Sussex's coat of arms appears on the newly launched website Sussex.com
This is an image released by Kensington Palace on May 25, 2018, showing the Duchess of Sussex's new coat of arms, released at the time of her wedding to Prince Harry
A Chron graphic from 2018 showing what each aspect of Meghan's coat of arms means
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 draws on his ten years of service in the British Armed Forces and his work as the New York Times bestselling author of Spare, “a memoir told with compassion, vulnerability and unflinching honesty.”
Meghan's biography covers her advocacy work, her career in the entertainment industry as a star in the TV series “Suits” and as the New York Times bestselling author of the children's books “The Bench” and “Together: Our Community Kitchen.”
Their bios state: “They are committed to their mission: Show Up, Do Good.” They emphasize that charity work should not just be “a handout, but rather a hand held.”
The Archewell Foundation was founded by the Duke and Duchess to “develop meaningful initiatives” and “drive long-term change.”
Founded in 2020, Archewell Productions is “dedicated to illuminating thought-provoking and diverse narratives that highlight our shared humanity and celebrate community.”
Many close to the royal household believe it is a blatant breach of the supposedly ironclad assurances Harry and Meghan gave the late queen when they acrimoniously exited the working royals' post in 2020, and that this comes dangerously close to exploiting her royal status for commercial gain.
Well-informed sources said the new online website would pose a “big challenge” to the Lord Chamberlain of Buckingham Palace.
The top royal official must decide whether to confront the Sussexes or “let it go” to preserve the already fragile family peace.
Others described it as a betrayal of the agreement, “if not in letter, then in spirit.”
But a source close to the couple denied the claims and defended the site's use of their royal titles.
They said, “Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.” That's a fact. It is her last name and family name.'
On the couple's new Sussex.com website, there is a link at the bottom (circled by Web) under the “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex” logo that directs users back to SussexRoyal.com
Prince Harry, fifth in line to the throne, is described on the website Sussex.com as a “humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmental activist.”
Meghan, whose Spotify podcast, acting career and lifestyle blog The Tig are mentioned in her bio, is celebrated as a “feminist and advocate for human rights and gender equality.”
Experts have also pointed out that the launch of the website comes just a week after King Charles III's cancer diagnosis was announced. and Kate Middleton continues her recovery from abdominal surgery at home.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Web: “The Sussexes have a strange sense of timing.”
“The question is not whether it is their right to launch a new website Sussexes.com with their coat of arms and the use of their royal titles, but the extraordinary timing.”
“Just a week ago, Harry visited his father, who we know is battling cancer. The royal family is in the headlines as the Princess of Wales appears to be recovering from a serious illness.
“As members of the royal family who have stepped back from their royal duties, it would certainly be more sensitive and sensible to postpone their renaming until later in the year.”
“The bizarre thing is that while the world probably perceives it that way, they can’t seem to see that this is spectacularly bad timing.”
Harry, who lives in California with his wife and two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – flew to the UK last Tuesday to meet his father following his diagnosis.
He made the visit without Meghan and their children, less than 24 hours after Buckingham Palace informed the nation of Charles' health.
But there was no meeting with his brother, the Prince of Wales, after Harry spent about 45 minutes at Clarence House meeting Charles.
Speaking about the couple “shaping the future through business and philanthropy” on the website, Mr Fitzwilliams added: “We're waiting for some new ideas that don't involve monetizing their royal connections to “To make a profit like they did so brutally on Oprah,” in Harry’s memoir, Spare.
“It's important to remember that the Invictus Games, as well as Harry's charities WellChild and Sentebale, were all started by Harry before their marriage.”
He also spoke about how the website links to the domain SussexRoyal.com – despite the couple being told in 2020 that they had to abandon their “Sussex Royal” label after deciding to step down as working royals.
The Chron reported at the time that Queen Elizabeth II and senior officials were believed to have agreed that it was no longer tenable for the couple to retain the word “royal” in their “branding.”
Harry and Meghan first began using the Sussex Royal branding in 2019 after separating their household from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – known as Kensington Royal.