Harry and Meghan Have Relaunched Their Sussex Site — What Does It Mean?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have launched a new website under the domain Sussex.com in an attempt to re-brand themselves as they continue to adjust to life outside of the royal family.
Critics have lashed out at the couple who now live in California, with many complaining they are using this as a means to cash in via their royal links.
Queen Elizabeth Forces Harry and Meghan to Drop Label
After deciding to withdraw from royal duties in 2020, Queen Elizabeth asked Harry and Meghan to drop the “Sussex Royal” label they used as branding.
![Queen Elizabeth II pictured to the left of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during an event in London](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/6aac3025-screenshot-2024-02-16-175048.jpg)
Source: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
While Harry and Meghan are still respectfully known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the queen asked them no longer to use their HRH titles for any kind of business and to refrain from making money off their royal connections, according to The Daily Mail.
Sussex Royal Website Becomes Archewell
Weeks before the meeting with the queen in Sandringham, Prince Harry and Meghan had launched a website with the domain SussexRoyal.com.
![Meghan Markle pictured in a white dress beside her husband, Prince Harry during an interview](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/af7984d6-screenshot-2024-02-16-175107.jpg)
Source: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
In the wake of the meeting, they were forbidden from using the domain. Their website, later named Archewell, sheds insight into the charitable and commercial work done by the couple.
Megan and Harry Relaunch Sussex Website
Recently, the couple decided to relaunch their website under the new domain Sussex.com last Monday.
![Prince Harry pictured in a black suit jacket alongside his wife Meghan Markle](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/db366359-screenshot-2024-02-16-175128.jpg)
Source: Joshua Sammer/Getty Images
The new website features Meghan’s coat of arms and has plenty of news and updates on the couple’s most recent projects.
Link Back to Sussex Royal Website
One particular facet of the website has garnered backlash online.
![A woman dressed in a baggy shirt types on her laptop](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/8a56ff1e-screenshot-2024-02-16-175151.jpg)
Source: Freepik
On the webpage, a link for “The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan” leads users back to the Sussex page, which some argue violates Harry’s promise to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
Royal Commentator Shares Opinion
Speaking with The Daily Mail, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam shared his opinion on Harry and Meghan’s decision to continue using the Sussex site.
![A man dressed in a denim shirt speaks during an interview](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/10f8503f-screenshot-2024-02-16-175207.jpg)
Source: Freepik
He said it “makes no sense to include a name they can’t use.” Fitzwilliam continued, “It is something of an aberration.”
Criticism Aimed at New Website
The new website has been met with considerable backlash online after critics suggested it’s nothing more than a way to make money off their royal links.
![A woman shrugs in confusion as she sits on a single seat in her lounge](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/2e99d574-screenshot-2024-02-16-175226.jpg)
Source: Freepik
According to The Independent, one critic said it has created a “blurred line between the past and the present.”
The Queen Would Have Been Furious
The Daily Mail reported that many close to the royal family are in agreement that the use of the Sussex name in terms of branding goes against what the late Queen Elizabeth would have wanted.
![Queen Elizabeth II pictured as she arrives at a state banquet in her honor at Schloss Bellevue palace](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/a6432e56-screenshot-2024-02-16-175248.jpg)
Source: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Some even described it as a breach of faith, complaining “if not in letter, certainly in spirit.”
King Charles Is Not Focused on the Situation
The palace has yet to make any official announcement on Prince Harry and Meghan’s use of the Sussex name for business purposes.
![King Charles III pictured in his military uniform as he attends a parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/9870d3d7-screenshot-2024-02-16-175302.jpg)
Source: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
However, an inside source spoke with The Daily Mail and said, “The king has other things he needs to focus on at the moment, and the last thing His Majesty needs is another fight with his son. But this won’t go down well at all.”
Not Everyone Is Against the Sussex Domain
One couple close to Prince Harry and Meghan defended their use of the Sussex domain when speaking in an interview.
![A man dressed in a brown turtleneck sweater sits down beside a woman for an interview on a navy couch](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/38efb384-screenshot-2024-02-16-175339.jpg)
Source: Freepik
“Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name,” they told The Daily Mail.
Beginning to Look More Royal
Another source who spoke with The Daily Mail argued that Harry and Meghan are “really pushing it” with their rebranding.
![Meghan Markle pictured in a white dress as she stands beside Prince Harry during an event in New York City](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/1fa6266e-screenshot-2024-02-16-175323.jpg)
Source: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
“The only rebrand this looks like is to make them seem more royal. It’s hugely problematic and a real headache for the Lord Chamberlain,” said one source.
Meghan Speaks on the Rebranding of the Website
The Duchess of Sussex spoke on the rebranding of the website, praising the creator’s “attention to detail” and “creativity and care” (via The Independent).
![Meghan Markle pictured in a blue dress during the Unveiling of the Labalaba Statue in Fiji](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/02/26febcb1-screenshot-2024-02-16-175400.jpg)
Source: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
She continued, “They’re not just designers; they are collaborators who elevate your ideas into visual identities. They’re a very special company. Plus, they’re Canadian, so I’m a fan.”