'Fresh start' for Harry & Meghan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relaunched website and use of their official coat of arms could be telltale signs of an “internal conflict”, according to a royal expert.

- Mitya Underwood & Rebecca Russell

Last week, the couple replaced their Archewell website with Sussex.com, and included a notable change in logo from a calligraphed H&M to the couple’s coat of arms, which was designed for their wedding and approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.

On their original Archewell website, the couple chose a crown as the logo, but their rebrand to The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex included the coat of arms that was designed for Meghan and unveiled a week after her wedding to Harry.

According to Kensington Palace, the shield’s blue background represents the Pacific Ocean off the California coast, while the two golden rays are symbolic of the sunshine of the Duchess’ home state. The three quills represent “communication and the power of words”.

It was also widely reported that the Duke and Duchess are now using “Sussex” as the official surname for their children.

Royal expert Jennie Bond tells new the “modern move” of changing their names has “neatly” separated them from both their UK and US-based relatives, and signalled a “fresh start” for Meghan, 42.

“It’s a further declaration of their independence, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. “But it still seems to me that there is an internal conflict going on. They want separation from the royal family and yet they want titles for themselves and their children.”