Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, have come under fire yet again – this time, for using their royal titles and the coat of arms insignias on their new website despite stepping down as senior royals in 2020.
Prince Harry will always be a prince as it is his birthright. And although their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, which were given to them by the late Queen Elizabeth II when they got married back in 2018, haven’t been revoked, their critics believe that they shouldn’t be using them based on the many negative things they have said about the royal family over the years.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Launch Their New Website
Prince Harry and Meghan launched their new sussex[dot]com website on Monday, February 12th, which gives fans information about their Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions. They previously used sussexroyal[dot]com and archewell[dot]com.
"The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is shaping the future through business and philanthropy," their new website reads in the 'about' section. "This includes: THE ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION, ARCHEWELL PRODUCTIONS, patronages, ventures, and organizations which receive the support of the couple, individually and/or together."
However, many critics have taken to social media, and various online comments sections, to call them out for using their royal titles on their website after slamming the royal family on many occasions over the past few years.
Online Criticism
Commenting on a Daily Mail article about the website, one reader said: "Why are they using the royal family? They're not royals? That needs to be shut down. They need to go get a job." "The Queen gave them the title as a wedding gift because at that time it was expected that they would be WORKING members of the RF. When they withdrew from public life the honorable thing to do would be to hand the title back," commented another, as a third said: "They need their titles taken away now. They have caused enough damage to the Royal Family. If Charles doesn't, William will when he is King."
Commenting on an X post from People, one X user said: "Imagine, saying, you want to live an independent life start a website that is not royal based and failing. Now imagine having to admit defeat going back to using your royal titles and coat of arms because the deals have dried up. I can't stop laughing at them! They are the equivalent of a fake Prada." "It's giving 'pick me, pick me, we have Royal titles too' energy," quipped another. "Look at them still wanting to be seen as royals and be connected to the 'awful, racist' family that made their lives so miserable. These traitors really are the biggest hypocrites in the world," added another.
"Guess they've realized they have nothing without the Royal connection. Too late," someone else commented, as another user wrote: "The Sussexes are failed in the US so now back to try to be Royals once again. Hypocrite, incoherence, liar and of course they are irrelevant without the Institution. Nasty couple who still taking advantage of the situation. Shame on them after all what they said about the RF."
Defense For Prince Harry And Meghan Markle
A source close to the couple caught wind of the criticism they were facing for using their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, and defended their decision to do so to the Daily Mail. "Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That is a fact. It is their surname and family name," the source reportedly said.
While Prince Harry and Meghan seem to be allowed to use their Sussex titles, Prince Harry was, however, stripped of his 'His Royal Highness' title due to the fact that he is no longer a senior member of the royal family.
Some of their fans did also take to social media to congratulate them for their new website, with one writing: "Beautiful! Love them! 2024 is looking good!" "It is beautiful. Love the color and the one-stop concept. Brilliant," praised another. "Well done Prince Harry and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex. Showing up and doing good projects," complimented another.
