Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have always guarded their children’s privacy. Still, one small detail has sparked fresh attention: reports say they now use “Sussex” as a family surname for both children.

Archie, born in 2019, and Lilibet, born in 2021, were publicly known as Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. However, recent reporting and updates linked to the couple’s Sussex-branded website suggest the children may now go by Archie Sussex and Lilibet Sussex in some settings.

Supporters see a simple, modern choice. They argue that a shared surname offers clarity and creates a tighter family identity, especially as the couple builds projects outside royal life. Critics, meanwhile, question the optics. They point out that Harry and Meghan stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020, yet still carry strong royal associations.

Either way, the change lands in a familiar place for this couple. They keep their home life quiet. Then a public breadcrumb appears. And the world debates what it “really” means.

In the end, many parents will recognize the instinct behind it. A surname can feel like a shelter. It can also feel like a statement. For Harry and Meghan, “Sussex” seems to do a bit of both.