Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new Sussex.com website 'is a betrayal of their agreement with the late Queen'

The relaunch of Prince Harry and Meghan's website as 'Sussex.com' has indeed stirred controversy and raised accusations of betraying agreements with the late Queen Elizabeth. Critics argue that the decision to prominently feature their royal titles and Meghan's coat of arms suggests a desire to assert their royal status, contrary to the agreements made during their departure from official royal duties.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in June 2018 

Replacing their Archewell website with 'Sussex.com' has fueled speculation about the couple's intentions and raised concerns about whether they are leveraging their royal connections for personal gain. The decision has also put pressure on Buckingham Palace's Lord Chamberlain, who must navigate the delicate balance of enforcing agreements while maintaining family harmony.

The new website is a challenge for Buckingham Palace's Lord Chamberlain. The outgoing Lord Chamberlain is former MI5 boss Lord Parker of Minsmere, pictured with the Queen in 2019

The use of Meghan's coat of arms and glowing biographies on the website further complicates the situation, as it suggests a deliberate effort to emphasize their royal identities. This has led to questions about whether they are adhering to the agreements made with the royal family regarding the use of their titles and symbols.

The diverging perspectives on Prince Harry and Meghan's relaunched website, Sussex.com, highlight the ongoing debate surrounding their use of royal titles and symbols. While some view it as a clear breach of agreements made with the royal family, others argue that as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they are entitled to use their titles as part of their identity.

The new homepage of Sussex.com features an image of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in September 2023

Critics believe that the relaunch of the website, especially under the domain 'Sussex.com', suggests an attempt to capitalize on their royal status for personal or commercial gain. This interpretation is reinforced by the decision to prominently feature Meghan's coat of arms and glowing biographies, which some see as emphasizing their royal identities for promotional purposes.

The Duchess of Sussex's coat of arms appears on the newly launched Sussex.com website

However, a source close to the couple defended their use of royal titles, emphasizing that being the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is a factual part of their identity. This stance suggests that they view the website as a legitimate extension of their royal status rather than a breach of agreements.

The palace's decision to refrain from commenting on the matter indicates the sensitivity of the situation, especially given the current focus on other matters concerning the royal family, such as the King's return to London for meetings and cancer treatment. It's suggested that Buckingham Palace may be hesitant to engage in another conflict with Prince Harry and Meghan, especially considering the potential strain it could place on family relations.

The decision to prominently feature Meghan's royal coat of arms on the new website while excluding Prince Harry's has sparked speculation and debate. Some insiders suggest that including Prince Harry's coat of arms might have been seen as too provocative, while others speculate that the rebranding effort is primarily focused on promoting Meghan's identity.

This is an image issued by Kensington Palace on May 25, 2018 showing the Duchess of Sussex's new coat of arms which was released at the time of her marriage to Prince Harry

Meghan's coat of arms, reflecting her Californian background with symbols such as the Pacific Ocean and the golden poppy, adds a personal touch to the website. However, the absence of Prince Harry's coat of arms raises questions about the balance of representation and the motivations behind the rebranding.

The continued existence of Sussexroyal.com, despite being expressly forbidden by the late Queen, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Some see this as a deliberate provocation, indicating a reluctance to fully disassociate from their royal ties despite their departure from official royal duties.

The couple's new Sussex.com website has a link at the bottom (circled by MailOnline) under the logo 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex' which directs users back to SussexRoyal.com

The use of royal titles for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, further emphasizes the royal connections on the new website. This, combined with the unexpected redesign, suggests a divergence from the agreements made during their departure from official royal duties.

The biographies provided on the website portray Prince Harry and Meghan in a positive light, highlighting their respective achievements and contributions to various causes. Prince Harry is described as a humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate, and environmental campaigner, while Meghan is depicted as a feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity. Meghan's biography further elaborates on her advocacy work in areas such as mental health, family care, and gender equality, positioning her as a cultural catalyst for positive change.

Prince Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, is described on the Sussex.com website as a 'humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmental campaigner'

Meghan, whose Spotify podcast, acting career and lifestyle blog The Tig are all referenced in her biography, is hailed as a 'feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity'

However, some observers have noted a lack of emphasis on Prince Harry's family life in his biography, which primarily focuses on his individual accomplishments. This omission stands in contrast to the detailed mention of Meghan's family, including her husband and children. This discrepancy may raise questions about the portrayal of their respective roles and identities on the website.

The decision to relaunch the website under the domain Sussex.com has also drawn scrutiny, with critics suggesting that it appears to prioritize their royal status rather than their stated goals of pursuing business and philanthropy. This interpretation raises concerns about whether Prince Harry and Meghan are adhering to the agreements made during their departure from official royal duties.

The involvement of the Lord Chamberlain in assessing the situation underscores its significance within the royal household. The rebranding effort has posed challenges for Buckingham Palace, particularly in terms of maintaining protocol and addressing potential conflicts with the agreements made during Prince Harry and Meghan's departure negotiations.

The presence of James Holt, a seasoned staff member who has previously worked for the Prince and Princess of Wales, underscores the experience and expertise within Prince Harry and Meghan's team. However, the predominantly US-based appointments suggest a strategic shift towards a more international focus in their endeavors.

The launch of the website has sparked speculation about the couple's intentions, with some suggesting that they may be aiming to reinvigorate their media careers and explore new opportunities, particularly in the production industry. This speculation is fueled by the recent conclusion of their deal with Spotify and rumors surrounding the renewal of their contract with Netflix.

However, concerns have been raised about the perceived commercialization of their royal titles and symbols on the website. The use of the Sussex title and Meghan's coat of arms for what appears to be commercial purposes could potentially lead to complaints from Buckingham Palace. Some sources warn that such usage could be viewed as gauche and may prompt the Palace to take action to shut down any hint of commercialism associated with their royal titles.

The timing of this controversy coincides with the couple's upcoming trip to Canada for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025's One Year to Go celebrations. It also follows Prince Harry's recent visit to the UK to see his father, the King, following his cancer diagnosis, although the short duration of the visit has raised eyebrows and led to speculation about the state of their relationship.