‘Fresh start’ for Harry & Meghan
The regal rebrand of their website could be a sign of “internal conflict” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a leading royal expert tells new
Mitya Underwood & Rebecca Russell
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relaunched website and use of their official coat of arms could be telltale signs of an “internal conflict”, according to a royal expert.
Last week, the couple replaced their Archewell website with Sussex.com, and included a notable change in logo from a calligraphed H&M to the couple’s coat of arms, which was designed for their wedding and approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.
On their original Archewell website, the couple chose a crown as the logo, but their rebrand to The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex included the coat of arms that was designed for Meghan and unveiled a week after her wedding to Harry.
According to Kensington Palace, the shield’s blue background represents the Pacific Ocean off the California coast, while the two golden rays are symbolic of the sunshine of the Duchess’ home state. The three quills represent “communication and the power of words”.
It was also widely reported that the Duke and Duchess are now using “Sussex” as the official surname for their children.
Royal expert Jennie Bond tells
new the “modern move” of changing their names has “neatly” separated them from both their UK and US-based relatives, and signalled a “fresh start” for Meghan, 42.
“It’s a further declaration of their independence, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. “But it still seems to me that there is an internal conflict going on. They want separation from the royal family and yet they want titles for themselves and their children.”
The California-based couple stepped back as senior working royals in early 2020, saying they wanted to “carve out a progressive new role within this institution” and be financially independent.
Over the years there have been numerous reports of family feuds, including the fallout from 39-year-old Harry’s bombshell book Spare, and the couple’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Despite recent attempts to rebuild their fractured relationship with King Charles, 75, and Prince William, 41 – including Harry’s flying visit to the UK following his father’s cancer announcement – their relaunched website sparked more debate about
