5 Major Power Moves And Scandals Defining Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s 2025

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, continue to dominate global headlines as 2025 draws to a close, navigating a complex landscape of entrepreneurial ventures, high-stakes legal battles, and ongoing family drama. As of this writing on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, the couple is preparing for a holiday season focused on their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, while simultaneously managing the public launch of a new lifestyle brand and the fallout from Prince Harry's controversial memoir, *Spare*. This period represents a critical juncture for the Sussexes, solidifying their transition from working royals to global media and humanitarian figures. The latest updates reveal a dynamic year of strategic career moves—including major Netflix projects and a significant brand re-launch—juxtaposed with intense scrutiny over staff cuts at their Archewell foundation and the continued legal saga concerning Prince Harry's US immigration status. Their every move is meticulously analyzed, confirming their status as two of the world’s most watched public figures.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Combined Biographical Profile

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, known globally as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have forged a unique path since stepping back as working members of the British Royal Family in 2020.

• Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex: Born Prince Henry Charles Albert David on September 15, 1984, the younger son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. He served in the British Army for ten years, including two tours in Afghanistan. He is the founder of the Invictus Games.
• Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: Born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California. Prior to her marriage, she was an actress, best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the legal drama *Suits*. She is a graduate of Northwestern University.
• Marriage and Children: They married on May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. They have two children: Prince Archie Mountbatten-Windsor (born 2019) and Princess Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor (born 2021).
• Post-Royal Life: Following their decision to step back from royal duties (often referred to as 'Megxit'), the couple relocated to Meghan's native Southern California. They established the Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions to focus on non-profit work and content creation.

The Rebrand: Meghan’s 'As Ever' Lifestyle Empire Takes Center Stage

One of the most significant developments of 2025 was the highly-anticipated evolution of Meghan Markle’s entrepreneurial vision. The Duchess’s initial lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, underwent a strategic rebranding to the new name, As Ever. The shift was announced via social media and quickly generated buzz, with sources indicating the official launch is slated for early 2025. The brand is positioned to be a major player in the luxury lifestyle market, focusing on products that reflect the couple's Montecito, California, home and aesthetic.

From Fruit Preserves to Global Goods

The product line under the *As Ever* banner is expected to be extensive, encompassing the initial mentions of fruit preserves and jams, but expanding into a broader range of "many more products." This move signals Meghan's determined return to the public eye as a global icon and entrepreneur, leveraging her considerable platform and personal style. The rebranding itself, while drawing some criticism for the name change, is seen by many industry analysts as a move to better align the brand with a more timeless and versatile luxury image. The new company is a cornerstone of the Sussexes' financial independence and their efforts to build a career outside the traditional royal framework.

Legal Tightrope: Prince Harry’s US Visa and Memoir Fallout

While the Duchess focused on her new brand, Prince Harry spent much of 2025 entangled in complex and high-stakes legal battles, most notably regarding his US immigration status. The controversy stems directly from admissions made in his 2023 memoir, *Spare*.

The *Spare* Admissions and the Visa Case

The memoir's candid descriptions of past drug use have triggered a long-running legal challenge demanding the release of his US immigration records. US immigration law is notoriously strict regarding drug use, and any false statements on a visa application could lead to significant legal problems. A federal judge is currently considering the next steps in this slow-moving case, a situation that could potentially spell legal trouble for the Duke. The possibility of his immigration paperwork being released has added intense scrutiny to his residency in the United States, placing the Duke on a precarious legal tightrope. Despite the pressure, Prince Harry has also continued his other legal actions against the tabloid industry, a battle that reportedly had the quiet support of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Netflix Deals, Archewell Restructure, and Humanitarian Focus

The year 2025 also saw the Sussexes make strategic career advancements in their content creation and philanthropic endeavors through Archewell Productions and the Archewell Foundation.

A Rom-Com and a Restructure

Following their lucrative "first look" contract with streaming giant Netflix, Prince Harry and Meghan announced their next major project: a romantic comedy film. The project is said to involve a wedding, signaling a shift toward more commercial, feel-good content that aligns with their global appeal. This move demonstrates a clear focus on major career success since their relocation to California. However, this career success was accompanied by a notable restructuring at their non-profit organization, the Archewell Foundation. In late 2025, the couple confirmed that staff cuts at the foundation were an "inevitable" part of the restructuring process. This decision, while framed as necessary for operational efficiency, drew criticism and speculation about the financial health and direction of their charitable work. The Duke and Duchess maintained that the cuts were a necessary step for their long-term vision.

Humanitarian of the Year Recognition

Amidst the business and legal drama, the couple’s commitment to humanitarian causes was recognized. In October 2025, they were honored as Humanitarians of the Year for their ongoing work to protect families online. They attended the Project Healthy Minds 3rd Annual Gala in New York, where they applauded "brave parents" fighting for online safety. This work highlights their continued focus on mental health and digital safety, core pillars of the Archewell mission.

Holiday Season and Unresolved Family Feuds

As the year winds down, the focus shifts to the couple's personal life and their relationship with the wider Royal Family. The Sussexes are reportedly planning a quiet holiday season entirely centered around their two children, Archie and Lilibet. The holiday season also brought renewed focus on the unresolved family tensions. Royal experts believe that the hope of mending ties with both King Charles III and Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, before Christmas is slim. The distance, both geographical and emotional, continues to define their relationship with the senior members of the British Royal Family.

The Controversial Family Photo

Adding to the late-year drama was the release of their 2025 holiday photo, which was quickly met with claims from critics that the image had been "manipulated" or photoshopped. This incident underscores the intense public scrutiny that follows every detail of their lives, from major career announcements to simple family portraits. Despite the controversies, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have closed out 2025 by firmly establishing their identity as independent global figures, driven by media production, entrepreneurship, and their own brand of activism.

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