Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made a surprising change — they’ve officially changed the names of both of their children.
Originally, their son and daughter were named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
But now, those names have been updated — and the reason behind the change is stirring up quite a bit of debate…
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are often seen as the most talked-about members of the royal family.
In 2020, they made headlines when they chose to step back from their roles as senior royals, breaking long-standing royal traditions. Since then, they’ve been living mostly in California with their two kids.
Their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on May 6, 2019, at the Portland Hospital in London. He weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces and became seventh in line to the British throne.
At the beginning, Archie had a more traditional royal start—he even met his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, just two days after he was born, in a big public moment.
Today, Archie is growing up in Montecito, California, where he’s living a more down-to-earth, normal (well, sort of) childhood.
On June 4, 2021, Archie became a big brother.
Lilibet, or Lili as her family calls her, was born in the U.S. and has stayed mostly out of the public spotlight since then.
Her name was picked as a tribute to the family—“Lilibet” was Queen Elizabeth’s childhood nickname.
But now, it’s been confirmed that both Archie and Lilibet’s names have been changed by their parents, and it’s all part of a major family rebrand—which has upset a lot of people.
Here’s a more natural, simple, and everyday English version of that passage, keeping the quotes intact:
One person wrote: “Instead of rebranding, I would like to see them actually accomplish something. It’s all spin and rather sad.”
Another agreed, saying: “For someone who wanted to get away from the royal family he seems to want a foot in both camps.”
A third person added: “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.”
Still, not everyone feels the same way. Some people are more supportive of the move.
One fan shared: “Good for them! Get out from under Britain’s oppression of the royals and THRIVE! I wish them all the best!!”
Another commented: “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 Meghan Markle’s kids have been using the last name Sussex — Archie and Lilibet Sussex — instead of Mountbatten-Windsor since the coronation of King Charles III.
Recently, the couple also updated their website to Sussex.com.
Sources told the outlet that Harry and Meghan want to keep everything — their work and their children — under one name to bring a sense of unity to their family.
An insider shared with The Times: “It represents their unification and it’s a proud moment.”