Meghan And Harry Want A New Surname For Their Children

Earlier this week, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a notable update to their website, bidding farewell to Archewell.com and introducing Sussex.com. While royal enthusiasts scrutinized details like the coat of arms, Bustle points out a significant update that may have slipped under the radar until now.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Make Website Change – Embracing New Family Name

On Sussex.com, Harry and Meghan’s children are listed as Archie and Lilibet Sussex, a departure from their previous designation as Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. This switch breaks a naming tradition dating back to 1964.

In the 1960s, a change was made stating that “The King’s descendants, other than those with the style of Royal Highness and the title of Prince/Princess, or female descendants who marry, would carry the name of Mountbatten-Windsor.”

According to The Times, Harry and Meghan transitioned to the Sussex surname after King Charles III’s Coronation in May 2023, although this information had not been updated on Archewell.com.

A source explained to The Times, “The reality behind the new site is very simple — it’s a hub for the work the Sussexes do, and it reflects the fact the family have, since the King’s coronation, the same surname for the first time. That’s a big deal for any family. It represents their unification, and it’s a proud moment.”

Initially not titled prince or princess, Archie and Lilibet became eligible for these titles after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022. Confirmation of their prince and princess titles came after Lilibet’s christening in March 2023.

As noted on the now-defunct SussexRoyal.com, Harry and Meghan would not “actively use their HRH titles as they will no longer be working members of the family,” but they would retain their duke and duchess titles.