Harry and Meghan use Greek source of inspiration
Leak forces Duke and Duchess of Sussex to reveal Archewell as name for their new charitable foundation
IT WAS a Royal announcement that would formerly have commanded the attention of the world, but from a distance of 5,500 miles and amid an unprecedented number of more pressing headlines, the new charitable foundation mooted by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was little more than a footnote to yesterday’s events.
Their self-imposed exile from the Palace publicity machine having lessened their influence, Harry and Meghan volunteered little about the enterprise, other than that details would be forthcoming “when the time is right”.
They did, however, confirm that the non-profit organisation would be called Archewell, a name derived from the Greek word Arche, meaning source of action, which they said was also the inspiration for the name of their son, Archie MountbattenWindsor.
The name will replace the SussexRoyal brand which the Duke and Duchess had originally adopted but which was denied to them following their decision to live as an independent couple outside the Royal family and the UK.
It was reported that the paperwork for their new brand was filed in the United States last month and that the couple were considering how to create their own charity and volunteering services.
Plans were also said to include a wide-ranging website and the sharing of “education and training materials” via films, podcasts and books.
Harry and Meghan said they were focusing their efforts currently on the coronavirus pandemic but felt “compelled” to reveal details of the venture.
“Like you, our focus is on supporting efforts to tackle the global Covid-19 pandemic but faced with this information coming to light, we felt compelled to share the story of how this came to be,” the couple said, following the leaking of information about their plans for Archewell.
The name had predated their previous brand, they added.
“Before SussexRoyal came the idea of Arche – the Greek word meaning source of action,” they said in a statement.
“We connected to this concept for the charitable organisation we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our son’s name. To do something of meaning, to do something that matters.
“Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon.
“We look forward to launching Archewell when the time is right.”
The couple moved to Los Angeles to start their new life with 11-month-old Archie after they were forced to choose between financial independence or remaining as working members of the Royal family.
They were said to have already registered a website using the name SussexRoyal before the Queen and other senior officials ordered them to drop the use of the word “royal”.
Last week, they bowed out of the Royal family with a final post on their official SussexRoyal Instagram account, which will now remain inactive along with their website.
The couple have delayed announcing a new Instagram name and brand, with a spokesman saying they wanted the focus to remain on the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.
We look forward to launching Archewell when the time is right.
Statement by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.