Harry and Meghan slammed for unveiling charity just hours after Boris Johnson was moved to ICU with coronavirus
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were slammed on social media for the "terrible timing" of their announcement to launch a new non-profit foundation.
The couple said on April 6 night that they were looking forward to getting started with the foundation — which they have named Archewell — to replace their Sussex Royal brand.
The couple had trademarked the name Archewell in the US last week, the Telegraph revealed.
The trademark reportedly applies to educational material, including books and downloadable articles, stationery items including pens, pencils, paperclips, as well as clothing items including tops, dresses, and skirts, per the outlet.
According to the couple, they were "compelled" to make the announcement on the night of April 6.
The details of Meghan and Harry's ambitious plans were published on the Telegraph's website at around 10 pm. This is barely two hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was confirmed to have been moved into intensive care due to coronavirus complications.
As expected, several criticized Harry and Meghan for the "inappropriate" timing of the announcement. The couple, however, said in a statement that they had postponed releasing all the details of their project due to the ongoing pandemic.
"Couldn’t they have waited? Deeply inappropriate time," Kathie Gyngell, the editor of The Conservative Woman, tweeted.
"I don't really think it was sensible timing to announce this while we're in the midst of a pandemic," one Twitter user wrote. "It just makes them appear more detached from reality and the struggles that the everyday person is going through."
David Haigh, a human rights lawyer and former managing director of Leeds United Football Club, also slammed the timing of the announcement. "Bad timing," he tweeted. "The world is too busy for their vanity project... didn't they get the memo?"
Meanwhile, actor Laurence Fox chimed in saying he "definitely preferred SussexRoyal."
The backlash comes after Harry and Meghan confirmed to the Telegraph that they wanted to include their own charity and a website as part of their new venture. They explained that the Greek word in the project 'Arche' was the inspiration behind their son Archie Mountbatten Windsor. It means "source of action."
Further details about the venture will be made "when the time is right," the couple said.
And despite the criticism, there were several who defended Harry and Meghan.
"They’re starting a legacy connected to their son’s name. Excellent. Archewell is perfect and the meaning behind it is great," one tweeted.
"I'm already in love with Archewell. It sounds better than Sussex Royal," another added.
"Do not fear, Harry and Meghan are smart enough to know when they filed the trademark name this wouldn't stay a secret," a third user chimed in. "While I am sure they would rather have had better timing, it's an essential step to forming any organization."
The former senior royals revealed their plans just a day after Queen Elizabeth addressed the UK over the pandemic. The UK has reported 52,301 confirmed cases and 5,385 deaths as of April 7.
The announcement also came the same night Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved into intensive care at a London hospital after his coronavirus symptoms persisted for more than 10 days. The UK leader was moved on the advice of his medical team and is receiving "excellent care," a Downing Street spokesperson assured.