Sussexes can still use coat of arms

THE Sussexes will not be stopped from using the coat of arms the Duchess was issued with when she married into the Royal family on their newly rebranded website, The Telegraph understands.

An old version of the Duchess’s coat of arms has been placed at the centre of the Sussexes’ new website, as they relaunch as the “The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex”.

They have been accused by critics of attempting to re-assert their royal status by using the distinctive emblem, ahead of a mini tour to Canada in February.

Sussex.com describes the Duke as a “humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmental campaigner” and the Duchess as a “feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity” as well as “one of the most influential women in the world”.

Their children are named “Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet”.

The site does not specifically mention the Royal family in Prince Harry and Meghan’s biographies, which total nearly 1,000 words. The couple have also updated their old domain to link to the new site. They had stopped using it shortly after their departure from the UK, after conceding that “it was agreed” they could not use the word “royal” for their work.

It is understood that there have been no such specific agreements about the use of coats of arms.

One source suggested that the palace and Lord Chamberlain’s Office, responsible for such protocol, would at one time have clamped down firmly on the use of the coat of arms, but must now remain silent for fear of appearing “vindictive”.

“Their hands are tied,” said a second source. The new website aims to streamline the Sussexes’ communication with the public.