Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have signaled their intentions regarding the futures of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, through a recent announcement. In a statement released in December 2025, they revealed that the Archewell Foundation is transitioning to Archewell Philanthropies, allowing the family to expand their charitable work globally. The couple’s mention of their children in this context raises questions about the potential paths that Archie, aged six, and Lilibet, aged four, may follow.
The announcement emphasized a family-oriented approach to philanthropy. “This charitable entity allows the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavors as a family,” the statement read. This inclusion has sparked discussion among friends of the Duke of Sussex, with one source expressing confusion over Harry’s alleged shift in stance. According to the Daily Mail, the friend noted, “Harry and Meghan were always so insistent that their children would be able to make their own way in life without the pressure of expectations or titles. I can’t believe Harry is behind this.” This comment suggests a tension between their previous commitments to independence for their children and the new direction indicated by the statement.
The same day as the announcement, Markle shared a family photo on social media, wishing her followers a “Happy Holidays! From our family to yours.” This post provided a rare glimpse of Archie and Lilibet, who have increasingly been featured in Markle’s social media presence since she relaunched her Instagram account on January 1, 2025. Despite this growing visibility, Harry reportedly expresses discomfort with the public display of their family life, indicating a divide in their approach to privacy and public engagement.
While Markle and Harry have made significant strides in their professional lives since stepping back from royal duties in 2021, their recent endeavors have faced challenges. They have partnered with notable organizations such as Netflix and Spotify, although reports have surfaced about a significant reduction in their staff—approximately 80-85 percent in the past year. This reduction has fueled speculation about the stability of their ventures, particularly as they navigated the loss of key team members, including their 11th publicist and the chief of charity for Archewell last month.
The couple’s journey since relocating to Montecito, California, has seen them embark on various business ventures while attempting to balance their roles as parents. Their approach to Archie and Lilibet’s futures appears to reflect a blend of their aspirations for their children and the realities of their evolving public personas. As they continue to redefine their family legacy, the implications for Archie and Lilibet’s careers remain to be seen, inviting further scrutiny and interest from the public.
In conclusion, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s announcement about Archewell Philanthropies may herald new opportunities not just for their charitable work, but also for the future paths of their children. As they navigate this landscape, both the couple and their children will likely continue to capture public attention.
