Meghan Markle has come under fire this week for hawking candles “inspired” by her children — and Page Six can reveal she and Prince Harry have also trademarked Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s names, prompting questions about how the couple plan to use the kids’ titles in the public eye.
Markle’s As Ever range, which keeps using coy glimpses of the children in advertisements, will sell two $64 candles — No. 506, for “Prince Archie of Sussex’s Birthdate,” and No. 604, for “Princess Lilibet of Sussex’s Birthdate,” according to the brand’s promotional materials — as part of her Mother’s Day collection, out Wednesday.
One palace source called the sales pitch “an outrageous use of their titles” and noted the late Queen Elizabeth II never intended for the Sussex family to make money off the HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles. In fact, it’s why the duke and duchess famously agreed never to use those titles in public after stepping down as working royals back in 2020.
Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, were officially made HRH when their grandfather, King Charles, ascended the throne after his mother’s death in September 2022, and they are listed on the royal website with their official titles.
Page Six has previously reported that the children have stationary emblazoned with HRH, although it’s not expected they will be working royals when they grow up.
We have now learned that Harry, 41, and Markle, 44, have not only trademarked Archie and Lilibet’s names, but also claimed their emails, social media handles and domain names.
Although it is a common thing for celebrities to protect their children in this way, an industry insider noted that trademarking their names for any future goods sold while they are minors would be another story. “It’s not about safeguarding the children — that’s understandable. It’s what you plan to do with [the trademarks] that is the key.”
Markle has included Archie and Lilibet, nicknamed Lili, in Instagram photos and videos to promote her lifestyle range, often highlighting them as “mama’s little helpers” in gardening or cooking scenes while never showing their full faces.
Before launching As Ever, a teaser video from February 2025 showed Markle with her children in their garden and kitchen.
A month later, she shared a video showing Lilibet and Archie helping in the kitchen, and last month — in a promotional video for her partnership with High Camp Supply florists — the duchess was shown making flower arrangements with Lilibet and calling out to Archie.
The media materials for her new candles state that Signature Candle No. 506, is tied to Archie’s birthday. The scent is described as “a warm, comforting scent … bringing a soft, familiar ease into the room,” with notes of ginger, neroli and cashmere — a subtle wink to his red hair.
A second scent, Signature Candle No. 604, is described as “a light, floral scent inspired by Princess Lilibet of Sussex’s birthdate, adding a sense of brightness and openness to the home,” with notes of amber, santal and water lily — a nod to her name.
While a press release makes clear that one “candle is inspired by Meghan’s daughter, Princess Lilibet,” and the other “by Prince Archie of Sussex,” the children’s names are not used on the products or packaging.
A source insisted that Markle, who parted ways with her production partner Netflix in March, has been “very tasteful” with her use of the children, and has Harry’s blessing.
“The candles are specifically part of a Mother’s Day line that weaves in something special in honor of your kids … Meghan is a mom and her brand is about hosting and entertaining and family,” said a source. “She’s not parading the children around at events. She never shows their faces.”
The Sussexes, of course, have bills; Page Six previously reported that they have an estimated $3 million annual security tab. “They have to make a living,” said the source
Harry’s estranged older brother, Prince William last year got $30 million for his second year’s income from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, which he inherited when their father, King Charles, ascended the throne.
The heir to the throne and his wife, Kate Middleton, meanwhile, do bring their children out into the public eye.
Prince Louis, 7, Princess Charlotte, 10, and 12-year-old Prince George, 12 — who is in line to the throne after his father — were last seen alongside the rest of the royal family at Easter services and regularly join the family for events like Trooping The Color and Christmas services, and pictures are released on their birthdays, just as the working royals have done for generations.
