Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two childrenchildren will now by known by the surname Sussex, with the choice marking a departure from a 64-year-old tradition.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were given the surname Mountbatten-Windsor when they were born, but after their grandfather King Charles’s Coronation they have taken the name Sussex after their parents’ Duke and Duchess titles.
The surname Mountbatten-Windsor was handed down in 1960 to all future male heirs of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, a combination of both their family names.
The new names were published on the sussex.com website, which has sparked criticism from some over the couple using their royal titles so prominently.
An insider told The Times that Harry and Meghan rebranded their website to “unify” their family after their children started using the Sussex title.
The Canadian and British Columbian governments have pledged to spend almost £20 million on the Games with local indigenous communities also being consulted on the planning.
There has been speculation that the Sussexes are keen to take Invictus, which Harry launched in 2014 as a sport tournament for sick and injured military personnel, to the next level with a new deal.
The appointment of the new Invictus CEO Scott Moore could be a sign they are looking to expand into broadcasting and make the Games a worldwide television event.
Mr Moore is known for forging big TV deals in the past, and has also overseen events such as the Olympics and Paralympics, the FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline about the possible deal: “Harry’s latest move with the hiring of Scott Moore shows that he is one step closer to launching the Games with a big TV deal.”
The Duke will be hoping for some more well-received coverage of the Games, as last year’s Heart of Invictus documentary on Netflix failed to make much impact.
The series was produced as part of the couple’s deal with the streaming giant, which is scheduled to expire in 2025 although may yet be renewed.
