Meghan Markle's name change on new website is massive nod to Royal Family
Meghan Markle has seemingly used the launch of a new website to make changes to her own public persona.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to unveil sussex.com this week - and while it makes constant use of their royal titles, Meghan has completely dropped her surname on the website.
It's an unusual move. While the royal family don't tend to use surnames - neither Harry nor Prince William have one on their birth certificates - Meghan did use 'Markle' on a occasions following her marriage in 2018. It's likely that that decision was linked to her former career as an actress, given that the public had long known her by her full name.
A picture of the couple dominates the main web page, overlaid with the text: "The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex". It also features a royal coat of arms. In the "About" section, she is simply referred to as Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex and described, in part, as "feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity".
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Meghan just uses her first name on the new websiteThe launch has sparked a fierce debate with critics stating that the couple have used the rebrand to emphasise their royal status - while also failing to make any mention of the royal family. The biography for the Duke, who is fifth in line to the throne, does not make any reference to the monarchy. Instead, it describes Prince Harry as ‘"a humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmental campaigner’".
And in Meghan's profile, the only mention of the royal family reads: "In 2018, Meghan married Prince Harry, becoming the Duchess of Sussex."
The move to rebrand to Sussex comes years after Harry and Meghan originally moved away from the title in 2020 when their 'Sussex Royal' tag became a topic of debate at Buckingham Palace. And it's revival has proved contentious.
A source told the Mail: 'They are going to have real trouble with the use of Sussex. It is a royal title and if there is any hint of commercialism about this it will be shut down. It's just staggering they cannot see how gauche it is.'
However, a source close to the couple has since hit back, saying: "Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name."
In addition to Sussex.com and SussexRoyal.com, the couple also have websites for Archewell Productions (archewellproductions.com) and Archewell Foundation (archewell.org). The former Archewell.com website now redirects to Sussex.com.
In February 2002, 13 months after stepping down as working royals, a spokeswoman for the pair said they would no longer use the word royal, stating: "While the duke and duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word royal, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation, when it is announced this spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ in any territory post-spring 2020. Therefore, the trademark applications that were filed as protective measures, acting on advice from and following the same model for The Royal Foundation, have been removed."
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