Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet: Why has their surname changed to Sussex?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been going by Duke and Duchess of Sussex since they married in 2018. However, when they left the Royal Family and stepped down as working Royals in 2020, the late Queen Elizabeth had reportedly asked the couple to no longer use the brand name, Sussex Royal.

This meant when they launched their initial website, they named it Archwell, a hint towards their son, Archie. However, the couple has launched a new website Sussex.com and are once again using the brand name Sussex.

Not only have they launched their new website, but Prince Harry and Meghan have also changed their children’s surnames to Sussex, there may be a reason why.

Prince Harry and Meghan have changed Archie and Lilibet’s surname

When Archie was born in 2019, he was introduced to the world as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The Mountbatten-Windsor name was given to Queen Elizabeth by her advisor in 1960 for her male-line descendants, as per Mirror.

When Lilibet was born, she was also given the surname, Mountbatten-Windsor, this meant that Prince Harry and Meghan didn’t have the same name as their children as they were known as Prince Harry of Sussex and Meghan Sussex.

Prince Harry and Meghan recently revealed that their children’s surname is now Sussex, so they will be known as Archie Sussex and Lilibet Sussex.

The reason Prince Harry and Meghan changed Archie and Lilibet’s surname

According to Vogue, Prince Harry and Meghan changed the brand of their website to reflect their family. Indeed as the former website was a hint towards Archie, the couple may have felt it was time to update it as they also have a daughter now.

Moreover, the change came after King Charles’ coronation, as Archie and Lilibet moved up the line of succession. Now that Charles is King, Archie and Lilibet can now use the titles Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as their grandfather is monarch. While Queen Elizabeth was still alive, they were known as Master Archie and Miss Lilibet.

Prince Harry and Meghan adopting the Sussex name for their children means the couple are following royal tradition, Indeed, in Royal Family tradition, the children’s surnames are typically a reflection of their parents' titles.

For example, Prince William and Prince Harry were known as William Wales and Harry Wales while they were at school since Prince Charles was known as the Prince of Wales at the time, as reported by Vogue.

Moreover, a source revealed to the Times that for the Sussex family, all of them having the same surname is a ‘big deal’ and shows a ‘unification’.

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.

Read more:

⋙ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle banned from using ‘royal’ for their website name

⋙ Princess Lilibet: The new claims saying Harry and Meghan didn’t have the Queen's authorisation don’t add up

⋙ Prince Harry said to be returning to the UK for huge celebration: Will Archie and Lilibet make the trip?

Sources used:

Mirror: ‘Meghan Markle and Prince Harry abandon 64-year royal tradition as they change kids' surname’

Vogue: ‘Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Changed Their Children’s Last Names’

Times: ‘Harry and Meghan adopt Sussex title as surname for children’