Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s ‘provocative’ decision to relaunch their Archewell website has caused a stir amongst the royal circles.
Markle and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020. And were later asked by the royal family, specifically the late-Queen Elizabeth, to stop using their Sussex title.
The Queen reportedly asked that Harry and Meghan cease using the “Sussex Royal” label back in 2020. The monarch and senior officials are believed to have requested the couple drop the word “royal” from their “branding”.
The new site, sussex.com, throws this request back in the royal family’s face.
Canadian agency, Article, designed the new website. The company was also behind the websites for the Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions, as well as Meghan’s now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig.
Sussex.com is an ‘office’ for all of the Duke and Duchess’ activities; charitable, personal and production.
Official statement from the Duchess of Sussex
Markle defended the site in a statement posted on the Article website. Stating she was grateful for the ‘very special company’ and its ‘thoughtful approach to design’.
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.’