7 Shocking Moves And Major Updates: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Most Pivotal Year Yet (2025)
The year 2025 has solidified Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s position as independent media powerhouses, marking a definitive shift away from their previous royal roles. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been front and center, focusing on a new PR strategy that emphasizes joint appearances and major brand developments, all while navigating a persistently strained relationship with the British Royal Family.
The couple, now firmly rooted in Montecito, California, has pursued ambitious projects across media and commerce, including a highly anticipated lifestyle brand relaunch and new, high-profile production deals. These updates, current as of late December 2025, reveal a couple determined to control their narrative and expand their global philanthropic and commercial reach.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: A Biographical Snapshot (2025)
- Names: Prince Henry, Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry); Rachel Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle).
- Titles: Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
- Children: Prince Archie of Sussex, Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
- Current Residence: Montecito, Santa Barbara, California.
- Major Organizations: Archewell Philanthropies (formerly Archewell Foundation), Archewell Productions.
- Key 2025 Projects: Rebranded lifestyle company 'As Ever' (formerly American Riviera Orchard), New Netflix rom-com adaptation, Advocacy for AI superintelligence ban.
- Recent Publications: Prince Harry's memoir, *Spare* (2023); The couple was the subject of the biography, *Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family* (2020).
The Major Rebrand: American Riviera Orchard Becomes 'As Ever'
One of the most significant and surprising business developments of 2025 was the re-naming of Meghan Markle’s highly anticipated lifestyle brand. Announced in March 2024 as 'American Riviera Orchard,' the Duchess made the strategic decision to rebrand the company to 'As Ever' by early 2025.
The original name, while evocative of their Santa Barbara home, was reportedly seen by some experts as "word salad" and potentially confusing.
A Shift in Commercial Strategy
The 'As Ever' brand is set for an early 2025 release and is expected to cover a wide range of products, including home goods, food, and potentially beauty items, positioning Meghan as a major lifestyle entrepreneur.
- The New Focus: The name 'As Ever' suggests a focus on timelessness, tradition, and enduring quality, a subtle but important pivot from the more geographically specific 'American Riviera Orchard.'
- Netflix Tie-in: Sources suggest the brand launch will be closely coordinated with a new Netflix show, giving the commercial venture a massive global platform right out of the gate.
- The Launch: The website for 'As Ever' launched alongside the announcement on Instagram, signaling a direct-to-consumer approach that bypasses traditional media gatekeepers.
This rebranding move is a clear indication that the Duchess of Sussex is taking an active, hands-on role in her business ventures, prioritizing clarity and marketability for her commercial success. The entire strategy points to a highly professional and well-funded operation designed to establish Meghan as a global lifestyle authority.
New Netflix Deals and Archewell Philanthropies’ Expansion
Prince Harry and Meghan's production company, Archewell Productions, has continued to honor its multi-year deal with Netflix, announcing a major new project for 2025.
The Rom-Com Adaptation
The couple's next project is confirmed to be an adaptation, with strong suggestions that it will be a romantic comedy (rom-com).
- The Intent: This move is seen as a strategic pivot toward more mainstream, universally appealing content following their earlier docuseries, *Harry & Meghan*.
- First-Look Deal: The project stems from their ongoing creative first-look deal with the streaming giant, ensuring a steady output of content.
The Archewell Reorganization
In late 2025, the couple announced another significant rebrand: the Archewell Foundation is officially becoming Archewell Philanthropies.
- Family Focus: The new identity is intended to allow the couple and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to expand their global philanthropic endeavors as a family.
- Streamlining Operations: The change also involves a new operational model, with an established 501(c)(3) overseeing the administrative side, including compliance and global grantmaking, suggesting a more efficient, streamlined charitable structure.
Beyond their media work, the couple has also been active in global advocacy. In a surprising move, Prince Harry and Meghan joined a coalition calling for a global ban on the development of artificial superintelligence (ASI) until safety protocols can be assured, highlighting their focus on future-forward social issues.
The State of Royal Relations and Public Appearances in Late 2025
Despite their professional successes, the relationship between the Sussexes and the British Royal Family remains a complex and often painful topic. As the year 2025 concludes, reports indicate little hope of a significant reconciliation.
A Persistent Rift
Royal experts suggest the chances of mending ties with King Charles III and Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, before the Christmas season are slim.
- Key Figures: The ongoing distance involves not only King Charles III but also Prince William and Princess Catherine (Kate Middleton), making a full family reunion unlikely.
- Security Concerns: Prince Harry's continued legal battles over his security arrangements in the UK also remain a point of contention and a barrier to extended stays.
The 2025 Family Christmas Card
In a move that delighted fans, Harry and Meghan released a new video montage and a highly-anticipated Christmas card for the 2025 holiday season. The digital greeting featured rare and candid glimpses of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, showcasing their private family life in California.
This annual tradition has become a key part of their PR strategy, offering a controlled, positive view of their family life outside the scrutiny of the palace. The images of Archie and Lilibet quickly went viral, reinforcing the couple’s image as devoted parents.
A New PR Strategy for Joint Appearances
The couple has embarked on a new PR strategy for 2025 that involves making more joint appearances at high-profile events. This was evident in their presence at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival in October 2025, where they spoke on mental health and technology.
This unified front aims to maximize their global impact, ensuring that when they step into the spotlight, they do so as a powerful, cohesive unit, amplifying their message across their philanthropic and commercial endeavors. Despite some media commentary on "blunders" throughout the year, their overall trajectory for 2025 is one of increasing independence and successful brand building.
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