One more marker of the consummate break between Prince Harry and the British royal family.
Since the coronation of King Charles III, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have changed their last names, revealed this Thursday, February 15, the British newspaper The Times.
While the official website of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was renamed "Sussex.com" on Monday, the couple made the decision a few months ago to "unify" their family, now using the last name Sussex for their two children Archie (4 years old) and Lilibet (2 years old) with whom they live in California (United States).
A source close to the family told the British daily that this name had been commonly used since May, and that the children were now called Archie Sussex and Lilibet Sussex, in the same way that their father was known as " Captain Wales” while serving in the British Army.
A break with tradition
This decision is anything but trivial and marks a break with current tradition: members of the royal family who do not bear royal titles and are linked to the family by a male descendant have since 1960 all had the same surname, Mountbatten. -Windsor.
This follows a statement by Queen Elizabeth II in the Privy Council, which established a standard for cases requiring a surname, including legal proceedings.
Two members of the royal family now commonly use this name, the two children of Prince Edward, fourth child of Queen Elizabeth II.
Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (20) and James Mountbatten-Windsor (16) did not inherit the title of Royal Highness, but will be able to pass this surname on to their children.
In the longer term also, the potential children of Prince Louis (younger son of Kate and William) could possibly bear this name in the usual way if he does not come to reign and they are not considered royal highness.
Louis (5 years old) is currently fourth in the order of succession to the throne, behind his father William, his brother George and his sister Charlotte.
A moment of “unification”
By inaugurating their new site this Monday, Harry and Meghan wanted to “bring together all their projects and their two children under one roof”, summarizes The Times.
“The idea behind the new site is very simple: it is a platform for the work of the Sussexes and it reflects the fact that the family has, since the king's coronation, had the same surname for the first time .
It is a major event for any family.
This represents their unification and it is a proud moment,” summarized a source to the British daily.
Despite his strained relationship with the British royal family, Prince Harry recently visited the United Kingdom following King Charles III's announcement regarding his health.
The sovereign revealed that he was suffering from cancer, detected shortly after undergoing an operation for benign prostatic hypertrophy at the end of January.