Harry & Meghan: reactions to new Sussex Website

The Sussexes have been centre of attention regarding the rebranding of their website. The Duke and Duchess overturned their Archewell Foundation website and it now redirects to a controversial sussex . com web page.

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Royal fans, general public, media and columnists alike have taken to social media and published articles with a range of opinions on the rebrand. The summary? Some think the pair have used their royal ties to further their image; others love the overhaul and think it reflects their achievements, goals and ambitions. We look at the reasons why these are people’s opinions and who has said what, including Meghan Markle herself…

As you now go onto the website, you will see a large picture of the couple, with "The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex,” written across in an otherwise very modern, slick page. The couple have gone with minimalist, but there are those who have picked the website apart detail by detail.

The first thing to note is the clear use of their Sussex titles and, of course, the use of the Sussex crest. The Standard comments that, for these reasons, ‘many a column inch is consumed with outrage’.

Sky News also reported that the couple's decision to return to royal branding and use their titles has been "met with criticism, as the Sussexes officially quit their royal roles in 2020."

Perhaps the palace may even be offended by the change, with one royal source reporting to The Independent, saying “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.”

The Daily Mail had a similar report from their source, who told the publisher that they believe the website is a violation of the agreement that was reached when the two left royal life forever to move across the water and renounce their royal status.

These Daily Mail sources said that “the change veers dangerously close to using their royal status for commercial gain”. Hence the ‘outrage’ from royal fans and supporters.

On X, the journalist wrote “H and M hated our royal family so seem to be working on one of their own. They have a new website. http://Sussex.com. The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan. It's full of exaggeration and pomposity and is a a spiteful attack on the real royals who must do something-please”

“This signifies their Hollywood failure and inability to succeed in their numerous business ventures. So they are falling back on the only thing they know to do and what can make them any money, trading off their royal titles. This is pathetic and demonstrates, yet again, why the titles must be removed. An “office” usually only applies to politicians and real royals, of which the two of them are not,” the scathing commentary read on X.

"Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name," The Independent stated in a column. They have a point - and this is the other side of the bickering argument on the whole topic.

The couple use their children’s royal titles, Prince Archie and Princess Lilbet in their biographies. As the BBC comments, “Dress code casual, but don't forget the titles”. But it is their titles.

Sky News Correspondent Rhiannon Mills shared the opinion that their name is their right and, if it is their title, then why shouldn’t they use them? The reported went on to say “But it is a reminder of the row and debate that blew up when they decided to step away.”

So the argument has been - are the couple using their name and brandishing their coat of arms, using their children’s royal titles, in order to use royal ties to further their financial gain? One thing we noticed? The website doesn’t mention the word ‘monarchy’ once. Not does Harry’s biography comment on him being 5th in line to the throne.

Harry has been described as a "humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate, and environmental campaigner” and mentions his military career, various charities and even brings up the elephant in the room - his tell-all novel, ‘Spare’.

Meghan’s profile focuses on her work as an actress is described as a "feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity”. Yes, the biography focuses on her many many accolades, but, again, no mention of other royals, the royal family or any royal connections.

As The Independent tells us, “Some enemies are motivated by baser instincts,” and defends the pair, explaining how they are not trying to escape the celebrity status, but they are "trying to do some good in the world."

Of course there are many who would think there is not much to even talk about. Like Omid Scobie, who has been nicknames ‘Meghan’s mouthpiece’ and wrote books about the couple said on his X account "This is all so tediously boring."

He continued, “The fact that a fairly simple homepage has spawned dozens of moaning op-eds, and furious pearl clutching from commentators, proves that many here literally have nothing better to do. Move on! Touch grass. Find an interesting story.”

Meghan Markle wrote a review on the website of the digital agency she has been working with for a long time: “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.”

A source told the times that “Harry is more concerned about the health and wellbeing of the King and Kate [Middleton] and thinks that is where the focus should be.” Health and happiness to all, we say.

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