Harry and Meghan slammed for ‘using loophole to bring back royal crest and resurrect SussexRoyal brand banned by Queen’
HARRY and Meghan are accused of exploiting their royal links by using their crest in a website rebrand.
The heraldic coat of arms is the emblem for sussex.com, which replaces archewell.com.
It was first revealed after their 2018 wedding and has been little used since.
Critics say its “resurrection”, four years on from Megxit, plays up to their royal links.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said it is a loophole to get around Queen Elizabeth II banning their “SussexRoyal” brand when they moved to the US.
And he said it “advertises a couple whose best future could be behind them”
He blasted: “They have every right to use the coat of arms, but this involves using loopholes to effectively bring back SussexRoyal and exploit their royal status.
“They have caused the Family tremendous amounts of damage.
“The only way they made money was by using their royal links on Netflix six-parter and Harry’s book Spare. Since Charles was diagnosed with cancer they cannot attack the Royal Family in the coming weeks.
“But if this is the best they can do, who is giving them advice? It’s rather boring. It is quite puzzling.”
Meghan worked with the College of Arms on the crest’s design.
The lion relates to the Duke of Sussex, 39, and his symbols take up the left-hand side.
Meghan’s California roots are symbolised by sun rays and a Pacific blue background.
The website relaunch also refers to their Montecito base as The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan.
Harry’s biographer Angela Levin added: “They are cashing in on their royal connections that they say they hate so much.
“Queen Elizabeth II would be furious because they promised they wouldn’t do that.
“They should be stopped from using a title that they spent years insulting. It is pathetic.”
Out of date
Last night Harry also faced claims the crest is out of date.
When Charles took the throne 17 months ago, Harry became the son of the monarch rather than grandson.
Yet the crest’s coronet features five points for grandson, rather than three for son.
Meanwhile, sources say the rebrand was not carried out with LA-based agents WME, as had been believed.
Sussex sources insist the new website has been set up so they can reveal “personal updates”, and that Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation remain.
Harry and Meghan are set to be in Canada today for the 12-month countdown for the Invictus Games.
