For a couple who stepped away from royal life seeking privacy, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle certainly know how to stir the global spotlight.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who now live in California, have once again found themselves at the center of a media storm but this time, the buzz isn’t about interviews or Netflix specials.
It’s about their children.
Archie and Lilibet, the couple’s two children, were once known by the last name Mountbatten Windsor, a surname that carries the weight of royal lineage and tradition. But behind the scenes, something has quietly shifted.
And the timing? Not so subtle.
The change comes closely on the heels of the pair launching their brand new website, Sussex.com, a hub designed to consolidate their public endeavors from the Archewell Foundation to their production projects. Yet it’s not just branding that’s changed.
The couple have officially updated their children’s surnames to “Sussex.”
That’s right Archie is now Archie Sussex, and his sister goes by Lilibet Sussex, a notable departure from their royal birth names.
According to The Times, the shift reflects a family wide effort at unification. “It represents their unification and it’s a proud moment,” a source told the outlet. The move reportedly took place after King Charles III’s coronation, marking the first time the family of four shares the same surname.
This rebranding isn’t just symbolic it’s strategic.
Royal watchers were quick to connect the dots between the name change and the Sussexes’ digital overhaul. The sleek navy and beige themed website proudly uses their titles Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and even features the Royal Coat of Arms at the top of the homepage.
Critics wasted no time accusing the couple of “cashing in” on their royal ties, with one expert saying,
“They’ve turned the monarchy into a commercial brand.” Another chimed in “For two people who left to escape the spotlight, they sure keep finding it.”
But supporters were quick to defend them. One fan wrote,
“What’s in a name if it only brings you misery? They’re choosing joy and unity for their family, and I respect that.”
Interestingly, the decision to adopt “Sussex” mirrors how Harry was once referred to as Captain Wales during his British Army years, a reminder that royal titles have long been flexible, especially in service and branding.
The controversy over their children’s names isn’t new.
When Archie was born in 2019, Meghan revealed during her Oprah interview that not being granted the title of prince raised concerns.
“We have in tandem, ‘he won’t be given security, a title… and concerns about how dark his skin might be,’” she said.
At the time, palace insiders claimed the couple didn’t want titles for their kids, but later expressed discontent over the lack of them.
The couple reportedly even rejected the title Earl of Dumbarton for Archie allegedly due to its resemblance to the word “dumb.”
Fast forward to today, and both children now hold prince and princess titles in formal settings, with the surname “Sussex” anchoring their identities both privately and publicly.
Meghan recently expressed admiration for the Canadian design team that worked on the new site, calling them “collaborators who elevate your ideas into visual identities.”
So whether it’s digital presence or personal branding, it seems the Sussexes are redefining royal life on their own terms right down to the last name their children will carry.
Featured Image Credit: (Netflix)(Alexi Lubomirski)(i-Images)
