THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been criticised after revealing some of the details of their plans to launch a new not-for-profit foundation, with some describing it as a "terrible timing" in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The couple said they "look forward" to getting started with the foundation, named Archewell, which will replace their Sussex Royal brand.

It came as the Telegraph uncovered that The Sussexes had trademarked the name Archewell in the United States last week.

The trademark covers educational material, books and downloadable articles, as well pens, pencils, paperclips and clothing items, including tops, dresses and skirts.

The couple say they were "compelled" into making the announcement last night.

Details of the plans emerged on the Telegraph's website at around 10pm, almost two hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was confirmed to have been taken into intensive care with coronavirus.

Some have criticised the timing of the announcement as "inappropriate".

But, in a statement last night, the couple said they had postponed releasing full details of the project due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Duke and Duchess told The Telegraph: "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."

However the decision to release further details have prompted criticism on social media.

Kathie Gyngell, the editor of The Conservative Woman, said on Twitter: "Couldn’t they have waited? Deeply inappropriate time."

One Twitter user described the announcement as "terrible timing", while another said: "I don't really think it was sensible timing to announce this while we're in the midst of a pandemic.

"It just makes them appear more detached from reality and the struggles that the everyday person is going through."

Further details about the organisation have been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though they have faced criticism for the timing from some Twitter users, others have defended the couple.

One twitter user said: "They’re starting a legacy connected to their son’s name. Excellent. Archewell is perfect and the meaning behind it is great."

Another said: "I'm already in love with Archewell.

"It sounds better than Sussex Royal."

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