Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have changed the name of both of their children.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor were the original names of the two children of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
But now, those names have both been changed – and for a rather disputed reason…
Prince Harry and Markle are undoubtedly the two most controversial members of the royal family.
The Duke and Duchess made the major decision to step down as senior royals back in 2020, and in doing so, broke major tradition.
The couple now spend most of their time in California, alongside their two children.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is their first child, born on May 6, 2019.
He was born at the Portland Hospital in London, weighing 7lb 3oz, and became the seventh in line to the throne.
Archie began his life in a more conventional royal fashion, meeting his great-grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, just two days after his birth in a major public event.
The child now lives in Montecito, California, where he enjoys a normal(ish) life.
On June 4, 2021, Archie was joined by his little sister.
Lilibet – or Lili as the family call her – was born in the USA, and has been kept out of the public eye since her birth.
Her name was chosen as a family tribute, as Lillibet was Elizabeth’s childhood nickname, and Diana was Prince Harry’s late mother.
However, it’s now been confirmed that both Archie and Lillibet’s names have been changed by their parents – and it’s all a part of the family’s mega rebrand.
But most people are not too happy about the change…
One writes: “Instead of rebranding, I would like to see them actually accomplish something. It’s all spin and rather sad.”
Another agrees: “For someone who wanted to get away from the royal family he seems to want a foot in both camps.”
“This pair will do anything to be in the limelight, complete hypocrites. For a couple who wanted to be out of the media, they sure do a great job of staying in it,” adds a third.
However, some are a little more happy about the decision.
One supportive follower opines: “Good for them! Get out from under Britain’s oppression of the royals and THRIVE! I wish them all the best!!”
Another adds: “What’s in a name? What’s in a title if it only brings misery in your life? They chose to live their life away from all the toxicity. That is their right. Wishing Harry and his family all the happiness in the world !!! God bless.”
The Times reports that Prince Harry and Markle’s children now go by Archie and Lilibet Sussex, rather than Mountbatten-Windsor.
This coincides with the Duke and Duchess revamping their website to Sussex.com. Originally, it was titled Archewell and was a nod to their son Archie.
Now they have two children, it’s believed Prince Harry and Markle wanted the website to reflect the entire family.
The change to Sussex breaks a royal naming tradition that dates back to 1964.
“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 has, since the King’s coronation, the same surname for the first time,” a source tells The Times.
“That’s a big deal for any family. It represents their unification, and it’s a proud moment.”
The Times reports that Prince Harry and Markle had actually switched to Sussex last year following King Charles III‘s coronation but hadn’t updated their website to reflect this.
