Exiled Harry and Meghan launch charity foundation named after baby Archie

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 Mountbatten-Windsor.

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 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 Sussex Royal 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.

They had intended to keep the launch of their foundation under wraps for the time being, but spoke after details leaked out, it is understood.

But the timing of their statement nevertheless attracted criticism yesterday, with Kathy Gyngell, editor of The Conservative Woman website, writing: “They haven’t got one thing right. Actually, not true, they’re very good at putting themselves first.”

David Haigh, the human rights lawyer and former managing director of Leeds United Football Club, labelled the initiative a “vanity project” and said their announcement was “bad timing”.

“The world is a bit too busy,” he added.

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