The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have heralded a significant shift in their post-royal work, announcing a surprise rebrand of their core charitable organisation. In a rare joint statement issued on 19 December 2025, the couple confirmed their Archewell Foundation will be renamed Archewell Philanthropies, framing the move as the start of a "next chapter".
A New Direction for Sussex Charitable Work
The announcement marks five years since the foundation was established, shortly after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the United States. The move followed the late Queen Elizabeth II's firm stance that a "half in, half out" arrangement was not permissible, preventing the couple from commercially leveraging their royal status under the "SussexRoyal" brand they had hoped to develop.
A spokeswoman for the couple outlined the vision behind the change, stating: "This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family, with meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good."
The foundation's name originates from the Greek word "arche", meaning "source of action", combined with "well". In 2025, its work included funding support for children affected by conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and advocating for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development.
Rebrand Amid a Transformative Year
The rebrand comes during a period of considerable professional evolution for the Sussexes, particularly for Meghan. The former Suits actress has reactivated her personal Instagram account, released two series of her Netflix lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, expanded her lifestyle brand As Ever, and is slated for a cameo as herself in the Amazon MGM film Close Personal Friends.
Their commercial relationship with Netflix, initially a deal worth around $100 million (£74 million) signed in 2020, was also renegotiated in August 2025. The new agreement is a "first-look deal", allowing Netflix first refusal on their projects but not guaranteeing production, a shift some industry experts viewed as a downgrade.
However, this renewed focus faces scrutiny. Royal author Tom Bower suggested Meghan is under "huge pressure" following negative reviews of her latest holiday special and the commercial performance of her As Ever brand. "This Christmas is make-or-break time for Meghan," Bower claimed, highlighting questions over consumer demand for high-priced items like a $32 jar of honey.
Attention has also turned to Prince Harry's role. Royal historian Marlene Koenig noted the Duke might be struggling to find his professional footing outside the Royal Family, with the burden of being the primary "breadwinner" seemingly falling on Meghan. Harry's list of official roles diminished further in March 2025 when he stepped back from the Sentebale charity after a boardroom dispute.
Overcoming Past Controversies
The path for Archewell has not been entirely smooth. In 2024, the charity was declared "delinquent" by the California Attorney General's office for failing to submit annual reports and fees on time, forcing a temporary suspension of fundraising.
A source close to the couple insisted the required paperwork and cheque were filed promptly but not processed. The matter was resolved swiftly after a second cheque was issued. A spokesperson later confirmed the foundation was "fully compliant and in good standing", with California Governor Gavin Newsom calling it a "very typical technical issue around paperwork" that attracted disproportionate criticism.
As Archewell Foundation transitions into Archewell Philanthropies, Harry and Meghan are clearly aiming to solidify their independent philanthropic identity, distancing themselves from past administrative hiccups and aligning their charitable arm with a broader, family-centric vision for impact.
