7 months ago
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Meghan Markle stands by the creative decisions made for her and Prince Harry’s new website, seemingly backtracking on a promise they had made Queen Elizabeth II to no longer use the name Sussex Royal for their personal brands.
“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,” the Duchess of Sussex said in a statement on Article’s website, referencing her defunct lifestyle blog, “The Tig.”
Markle added, “They’re not just designers; they are collaborators who elevate your ideas into visual identities.”
The “Suits” alum concluded, “They’re a very special company. Plus they’re Canadian, so I’m a fan.”
Meghan Markle released a statement about why she is working with Article on her new website amid backlash over the site’s design choices. Evan Agostini/Invision/APMarkle, 42, and Harry, 39, were slammed this week when it was revealed that their former websites, Sussexroyal.com and Archewell.com, would now be redirected to Sussex.com – still capitalizing off of their royal backgrounds.
More must-see royals coverage:
How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle metPrince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship timelineRoyal family tree and line of successionThe new site – meant to help promote the couple’s “philanthropic endeavors” – features their royal titles and the coat of arms, which upset royal fans because the two left the the royal family years ago and subsequently spoke ill of their time with them.
Many are slamming Markle and Prince Harry, claiming their decision to continue using royal titles on branding is a betrayal to an agreement they made with late Queen Elizabeth II. Getty Images“Harry and Meghan are *still* branding themselves as ‘the Sussexes,’” one royalist previously tweeted.
“They abandoned their duty to this country, insulted our people and history, mocked our traditions & undermined our monarchy. The brass to keep parasitising off this title!”
Another chimed in, “Perfect summary of these two grasping title clingons!”
Markle and Prince Harry were criticized for seemingly capitalizing off of the royal family — again. Sussex.comWant more celebrity and pop culture news?
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A third, meanwhile, disputed, “Umm, these two nincompoops do realize they are not ‘Sussex,’ right? The gall of buying http://Sussex.com, and including a royal crest, though they hate the royals, is ridiculous.”
It does not appear that Harry has weighed in on the backlash himself. Page Six has reached out to his rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The couple chose to use the royal coat of arms on their site. Sussex.comA spokesperson for the Sussexes said in 2020, following their infamous “Megxit,” “As was agreed with The Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer use the name Sussex Royal for their charitable organisation, Instagram or website.
“For now, there will be no additional information on their next steps. Therefore, the update to follow shortly on the @SussexRoyal Instagram account will mark their 31st March transition from ‘working’ Members of the Royal Family.”
However, Markle and Harry were never formally stripped of their royal titles – which was first gifted to them by Queen Elizabeth II during their May 2018 nuptials – when they quit their duties two years later.
Sussex.com is meant to promote the couple’s philanthropic endeavors. Sussex.comAfter King Charles III was coronated in May 2023, there were questions about whether Harry’s father would take a different course of action than his mother did.
However, a royal expert revealed at the time that Charles, 75, removing the pair’s titles was “just not going to happen.”
More must-see royals coverage:
How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle metPrince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship timelineRoyal family tree and line of successionAuthor Robert Jobson previously said, “I was at Royal Ascot the other day and I met a source, who is quite close to the Royal Family. I said, ‘Well, what about all this stuff about stripping titles?’
“If you’re going to have a President Meghan, then surely, they’re not going to want to have their royal titles and they will be kicked out of the line succession?’ I asked. And he absolutely categorically said, that’s just not going to happen.”
Markle and Harry were never stripped of their royal titles, however, despite quitting their royal duties. Getty ImagesAside from Markle and Harry, their two children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2, were also given royal titles in March 2023 despite their parents’ infamous “Megxit.”
A spokesperson for the Sussexes previously told Page Six, “I can confirm that Princess Lilibet was christened on Friday, March 3, by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev. John Taylor.”
It was also reported at the time that the royal family’s official website planned to update the siblings’ titles from Master Archie and Miss Lilibet to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
