Meghan Markle fawns over new website’s design despite furious backlash over use of royal titles

Meghan Markle has broken her silence amid backlash over her new website Sussex.com and “hypocritical” use of royal titles.

Meghan Markle has broken her silence amid backlash over new website Sussex.com and “hypocritical” use of royal titles.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced fierce criticism after the rebrand of their Archewell website and have even been dubbed “pathetic” by royal experts, The Sun reports.

It was designed by Article, a Canadian digital agency that Meghan previously used to build her lifestyle blog The Tig and Archewell.

In a fresh statement, the duchess wrote: “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.”

Meghan Markle says she’s a “fan” of the people who designed new website Sussex.com. Picture: AFP.

While the couple ditched their website Archewell, their foundation in the same name is still in effect. The original site now redirects visitors to Sussex.com which boasts that “The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan” will share “personal updates for the couple” that are not related to Archewell, sources say.

It is also said to be a “one-stop-shop” for their activities.

Their fresh move to rebrand as Sussex.com comes after the Queen banned the couple from using “SussexRoyal” after they stepped away from royal duty four years ago.

The Queen ordered the Sussexes to mothball it in the January 2020 exit settlement, when Meghan and Harry stopped being senior members of the royal family.

But the new site still links back to the Sussex Royal website.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams blasted the couple for using a royal coat of arms as their crest.

“They have every right to use the coat of arms, but this involves using loopholes to effectively bring back SussexRoyal and exploit their royal status,” he said.

“They have caused the family tremendous amounts of damage.

“The only way they made money was by using their royal links on their Netflix docuseries and Harry’s book Spare. Since Charles was diagnosed with cancer they cannot attack the Royal Family.

“But if this is the best they can do, who’s giving them advice? It’s rather boring. It’s quite puzzling.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have launched their new website Sussex.com to replace their Archewell.com website.

Harry has also faced claims the crest is out of date.

When Charles took the throne 17 months ago, Harry became the son of the monarch rather than grandson.

Yet the crest’s coronet features five points for grandson, rather than three for son.

This is the first rebrand the couple have undergone since they launched Archewell in October 2020.

Visitors to that site see a notice that reads: “This site was established in 2020 and sets out the work streams of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex prior to their move to the United States.”

‘Cashing in’

Royal expert Angela Levin dubbed the couple “pathetic” for using the royal coat of arms on their new website.

She told The Sun: “They are cashing in on their royal connections that they say they hate so much.

“Queen Elizabeth II would be furious because they promised they wouldn’t do that.

“They should be stopped from using a title that they spent years insulting.”

There are even talks it may be shut down, as it is thought the rebrand will anger the firm, sources have said.

An insider told the MailOnline: “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.”

But, a source close to the couple has now defended the move.

They said: “Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have launched their new website Sussex.com to replace their Archewell.com website.

Royal rebrand

In September last year, it was revealed the couple were planning to launch new projects.

On Sussex.com, biographies on Harry and Meghan include the line: “The Duke and Duchess are committed to their mission: Show Up, Do Good.

“They hold the value that charitable work should not simply be a handout, but rather a hand held.”

The site also reads: “The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex is shaping the future through business and philanthropy.

“This includes: The Archewell Foundation, Archwell Productions, patronages, ventures, and organisations which receive the support of the couple, individually and/or together.”

Prince Harry’s bio describes him as “a humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate, and environmental campaigner”.

It reads: “He has dedicated his adult life to advancing causes that he is passionate about and that advance permanent change for people and places.”

The site also describes his time in the Army, names the organisations he’s founded, and that he’s a New York Times Bestselling author after writing Spare.

Meghan’s bio says she’s “a feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity”.

The website says: “Her lifelong advocacy for women and girls remains a constant thread in her humanitarian and business ventures.”

It goes on to say she “has been named one of the most influential women in the world”, had a leading role in show Suits and has served in roles like the UN Women’s Advocate for Women’s Political Participation. It comes as the couple are set to appear in Vancouver this week to mark 12 months before Harry’s Invictus Games 2025.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Meghan Markle fawns over new website’s design despite furious backlash over use of royal titles