Prince Harry and Meghan have hit back at criticism of their website Sussex.com and the royal rebrand by insisting they “will not be broken”.
The couple has been embroiled in a number of controversies this week, including over the new website Sussex.com – complete with Meghan's coat of arms – which critics say represents a breach of their promise to the late queen as she acrimoniously performs her frontline royal duties laid down.
There have also been reports that they have changed the names of their children Archie and Lilibet, while Meghan has signed a deal with Lemonada Media to record new podcast shows.
These decisions have led to a new wave of criticism of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, leading to calls for the duo to be stripped of their titles.
In response, a representative for Harry and Meghan told the Mirror: “We have heard time and time again that certain opportunities are crucial for the couple.”
“They are still here.” They are still working and pursuing what they believe in, even though they are constantly challenged and criticized. This couple will not be broken.'
Prince Harry has hit back after criticism of him and Meghan's Sussex.com and Royal rebranding
Meghan and Harry will be attending the Invictus Games One Year To Go event on February 14th
Harry tried out one of the participants' sit-skis and seemed to enjoy being pushed down the slope by his instructor
The couple spent Valentine's Day in Whistler, Canada, promoting the next Invictus Games and were accompanied by a film crew.
It was her first public appearance since King Charles' cancer diagnosis was announced.
Harry and Meghan are currently embroiled in an ongoing dispute over the Duke and Duchess's rebranded “royal” website Sussex.com – complete with Meghan's coat of arms – which critics say represents a breach of their promise to the late queen as they acrimoniously withdrew . line royal duties.
Sources say the couple did not consult palace officials about the use of their Sussex titles.
A source close to the couple defended the use of their royal titles, saying: “Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.” That is a fact. It is her last name and family name.'
On Tuesday, Meghan was forced to issue a statement defending the graphic design company that created the couple's new website.
Additionally, a source told The Times that Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, have been known as Archie Sussex and Lilibet Sussex, rather than Mountbatten-Windsor, since King Charles' coronation last May.
Sources said the relaunch was an attempt to unite the projects of Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, as well as their two children, under the same overall website.
The excitement over the site followed it posting a new photo of herself wearing Princess Diana's Cartier watch as she unveiled a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media.
The portrait photo was taken by the couple's friend Misan Harriman and shows Meghan wearing her late mother-in-law's £17,800 gold watch, along with a £5,000 Cartier Love bracelet – reportedly a gift from Harry the early days of their relationship.
Critics said the website was an attempt to monetize the couple's royal connections, prompting a new round of calls for the duo's titles to be removed, including from Meghan's biographer Tom Bower.
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
Meghan and Harry's appearance in Whistler comes amid controversy over the Sussexes' redesigned website
A film crew was spotted joining the Sussexes as they arrived for a day of skiing
Meghan looked glamorous in skinny jeans and a sweater with a beige quilted coat, while Harry wore casual jeans and a black anorak from Eddie Bauer
Meghan's 2018 coat of arms can be seen above the couple's name on Sussex.com
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal coat of arms is featured prominently on the new website Sussex.com, potentially causing tensions
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.”
The website Sussex.com contains flowery descriptions of the Duke and Duchess
One said: “You will have real problems with the use of Sussex.” It is a royal title and if there is any hint of commercialization it will be abolished. “It’s just mind-boggling that they can’t see how awkward it is.”
Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror reported that the couple did not consult with palace officials before launching the new website.
Mail columnists Sarah Vine and Andrew Pierce believe the couple should be stripped of their titles to stop them shamelessly profiting from the royal family.
Without the royal family, Ms. Vine said, Harry would simply be a “slightly fat, bald ex-soldier” while Meghan would be a “moderately attractive, not very successful ex-actress.”
Elsewhere this week, Markle signed a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media after she and Prince Harry parted ways with Spotify.
With this move, she will host a new podcast series for the woman-founded company and distribute her Spotify-exclusive show Archetypes across all platforms.
The new deal comes a year after the Dutchwoman and her husband Harry ended their $20 million deal with Spotify, three years after it was signed.
Spotify and the Sussexes' audio production company, Archewell Audio, released a joint statement saying they have “mutually decided to go their separate ways and are proud of the series we have made together.”
A top Spotify podcast executive then called Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “fucking frauds” after they produced just one 13-episode podcast series for the company and then split.
The end of the pair's $20 million deal was announced in 2023, three years after it was signed
Meghan Markle has signed a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media after she and Prince Harry parted ways with Spotify
Bill Simmons (left), who sold his podcast and sports journalism company The Ringer to Spotify for $200 million in 2020, now works as head of podcast innovation at Spotify
Archetypes, Meghan's original Spottily show, drew around 1 million listens per episode and debuted as Spotify's No. 1 podcast in 47 countries around the world when it launched in August 2022.
The series examined the labels that try to hold women back and included guests like Mariah Carey, Jameela Jamil and Pamela Adlon.
The series won a People's Choice Award for Pop Podcast of 2022 and Markle was named Best Entertainment Podcast Host at the Gracie Awards.
Under the new deal, this show will now be available on all audio platforms, with Lemonada handling distribution.
Bill Simmons, head of podcast innovation and monetization at Spotify, condemned the pair in an episode of his own podcast.
“Those damn scammers.” “This is the podcast we should have started with them,” he said.
“One night I have to get drunk and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to help him with a podcast idea. 'It's one of my best stories.'
The couple spent the last two days in British Columbia's scenic Whistler ski resort, embarking on a two-day trip from California to highlight next year's Invictus event, which includes winter sports for the first time.
They didn't seem at all affected by the row over their Sussex.com website, with Harry trying his hand at sit-skiing and joking before driving off: “Do I have to sign a waiver?”
The pair were spotted bending over to speak to athletes taking part in the games, while Harry tried out one of the competitors' sit-skis while a camera crew followed close behind. Meghan was seen smiling with officers as she used her phone to collect content.
The couple arrived in Canada on Tuesday and were photographed by as they landed in Vancouver just after noon Pacific time after a two-hour flight from Santa Barbara – the closest airport to their home in Montecito.
A convoy of cars picked up the famous duo and took them to Whistler, where they will be on Wednesday and Thursday before returning to Vancouver on Friday for an event at the City of Glass.
The couple are then expected to return to California on Friday afternoon to be reunited with their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, two.