The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have intentionally sent out a clear message to let everyone know “they are stronger than ever” claims an ex-BBC royal correspondent.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently surprised fans with the unveiling of their new website Sussex.com, thought to be a ‘one stop shop’ for all news and updates about the couple.
A picture of the two smiling and clapping together at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games 2023 in Dusseldorf, Germany, dominates the home page of the website.
Speaking about the intentional rebrand royal expert Jennie Bond said: “I think it’s a fresh start for Meghan and the children, and sends out the message that they are a strong, close-knit family. They’ve come under so much criticism but this is her hitting back, making everyone know they are stronger than ever.”
As reported in OK! Magazine, Ms Bond added it was a “further declaration of independence”. She said: “It still seems to me that there is an internal conflict going on. They want separation from the royal family and yet they want titles for themselves and their children.”
On the main webpage of Sussex.com, the text reads: “The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex”, and it is accompanied by their coat of arms, which was designed for their wedding.
As discovered on their new website, which replaces their charitable organisation site, Archewell, the couple have also made a significant change to a 64-year-old tradition.
Harry and Meghan have given their children a new surname and Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, are now known as Sussex instead of Mountbatten-Windsor.
However, it is thought the late Duke of Edinburgh would not be best pleased with the swap as he fought hard for the Mountbatten-Windsor name.
As reported in the Daily Mail, royal expert, Ingrid Seward said: “How sad, therefore, that only three generations later, Harry should so blatantly disregard his grandfather’s wishes and effectively abandon the family name for which Philip had fought.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced backlash after the rebranding of their website, after being accused of “monetising their status as royals”.
The rebranding comes amid rumours that the couple may be looking for more production companies to work with, fuelling speculation that the Sussexes are trying to breathe new life into their media careers.
The couple has been warned by critics, that using the Sussex title and the royal crest for commercial use could provoke the Palace. Meghan has since defended the website’s design, including its prominent use of their royal crest, in a statement posted on the design agency Article’s webpage.
She said in a review: “There is a reason I have worked with Ryan and the talented team at Article for a decade: their attention to detail, their creativity and care, and the thoughtful approach to design as well as to the user experience.
“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.”
