The highly publicised Netflix docuseries from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has captivated global audiences, yet a notable omission has caught the keen eye of royal commentators. Throughout the six-part documentary, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry consciously avoid using the official HRH styles bestowed upon their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
This deliberate choice has ignited a fresh wave of analysis concerning the Sussexes' intricate relationship with the institution they stepped back from. Royal author and expert, Tom Quinn, suggests this was a calculated move. "The couple are trying to have their cake and eat it," Quinn stated to The Mirror, implying a strategy to leverage their royal status for commercial gain while simultaneously presenting a relatable, modern family image to their global audience.
A Matter of Protocol and Presentation
The titles 'Prince' and 'Princess' were confirmed for the children following the ascension of King Charles III. However, their absence in the Netflix narrative is stark. Instead, Meghan and Harry almost exclusively refer to them by their first names, Archie and Lilibet.
This presentation stands in contrast to their ongoing use of their own Duke and Duchess titles, particularly in a commercial context. Critics argue this selective approach allows them to benefit from the prestige of their rank while distancing themselves from its more formal constraints when it suits their brand's narrative of a liberated, non-stuffy new chapter.
Brand Sussex: Crafting a Global Identity
Analysts perceive this as a fundamental aspect of 'Brand Sussex'. By focusing on 'Archie' and 'Lilibet', the couple fosters a sense of accessibility and normality, making their story more palatable and emotionally resonant for an international streaming audience. It aligns with their overarching message of prioritising family, privacy, and a break from rigid tradition.
The decision underscores the complex tightrope the Sussexes walk: honouring their heritage and the privileges it affords, while simultaneously building a new, independent identity separate from the Royal Family's strictures. The Netflix series, therefore, becomes more than a documentary; it is a curated piece of their strategic rebranding efforts on the world stage.
