5 Shocking New Developments: Harry & Meghan's Power Moves That Defined 2025

The year 2025 has proven to be a pivotal one for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. After a period of laying the groundwork for their post-royal lives, this year saw the couple launch major new professional projects, redefine their media presence, and significantly ramp up their philanthropic efforts, solidifying their status as independent global figures. The focus has decisively shifted from their departure from the Royal Family to their ambitious future endeavors.

The couple's strategy, centered around their Montecito-based Archewell umbrella, has come into sharp focus with high-profile public appearances, a major lifestyle brand relaunch by Meghan, and new content production deals. As of today, December 14, 2025, the narrative is overwhelmingly about their professional expansion and the impact of their personal brand on the global stage.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: A 2025 Biography Snapshot

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have navigated a complex transition from senior working royals to independent media producers and philanthropists. Their 2025 activities highlight a clear commitment to their chosen path, balancing commercial ventures with social impact.

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• Names: Prince Henry, Duke of Sussex (Harry) and Rachel Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Meghan)
• Children: Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex
• Residence: Montecito, Santa Barbara, California, USA
• Current Ventures: Archewell Foundation (Non-profit), Archewell Productions (Media Production), and As Ever (Meghan's lifestyle brand).
• Key 2025 Engagements: Upfront Summit, Invictus Games, New York City public appearances.
• Major Focus: Mental health advocacy, online safety, women's empowerment, and content creation for Netflix.

1. Meghan's Lifestyle Brand Reborn: The 'As Ever' Launch

Perhaps the most significant commercial move of 2025 was the official launch of Meghan Markle's highly anticipated lifestyle brand. Initially teased as American Riviera Orchard, the brand underwent a strategic pivot and was officially rebranded and launched as As Ever in March 2025.

The Duchess of Sussex's new venture has quickly become a major talking point. As Ever debuted with a focus on artisanal food products, reflecting a wholesome, family-oriented image that sources suggest Meghan is keen to cultivate. This move is seen as a direct challenge to other celebrity-backed lifestyle platforms, leveraging Meghan's personal interest in cooking, home, and wellness. The brand's success is critical for cementing the couple's financial independence and expanding their influence beyond media production.

The Strategic Rebranding from American Riviera Orchard

The decision to rename the company from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever nearly a year after the initial soft launch was a calculated move. Sources close to the Duchess suggest the new name is intended to convey a sense of timeless elegance and authenticity, aligning more closely with her personal values and long-term brand vision. This new chapter in her commercial life is inextricably linked to her accompanying Netflix series, which is also set for release in early 2025, creating a powerful cross-platform media empire.

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2. Major New Netflix Projects: From Girl Scouts to Documentaries

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's content creation deal with Netflix saw a significant acceleration in 2025, with several new projects announced and put into production through their company, Archewell Productions.

One of the most buzz-worthy announcements was their role as executive producers for a new documentary. The project, tentatively titled "Cookie Queens," is a documentary close to the Duchess’s heart, focusing on the world of the Girl Scouts and the impact of their entrepreneurial efforts. The documentary is described as "edgy" and aims to bring a thought-provoking, diverse narrative to global audiences, a core mission of Archewell Productions.

In addition to this, the couple announced another new documentary in April 2025, showcasing their continued commitment to non-fiction storytelling and their ability to secure high-profile deals within the competitive streaming landscape.

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3. Prince Harry's High-Profile Philanthropic Leadership

Prince Harry's work with the Archewell Foundation and his personal advocacy continued to be a major focus throughout 2025, demonstrating his commitment to social impact outside of the Royal Family structure.

A key moment was his keynote speech at the 2025 Upfront Summit, where he discussed the critical intersection of philanthropy, business, and media. This appearance positioned him not just as a royal figure, but as a thought leader in the non-profit and business sectors. Furthermore, the Duke was heavily involved in the 2025 Invictus Games, a cornerstone of his personal mission to support wounded servicemen and women. He was seen making a moving speech at the Closing Ceremony in February, reinforcing the enduring importance of the Games.

Archewell Foundation Updates and Allegations

The Archewell Foundation itself released several public updates in 2025, including statements in April and December, detailing its programs and initiatives, particularly around online safety and mental health. Importantly, 2025 also brought reports that successfully debunked earlier allegations that the foundation was missing millions of dollars, with sources indicating the opposite was true, demonstrating transparency and stability in their charitable operations.

4. Increased Global Public Appearances and Media Presence

After a relatively quiet period, the Duke and Duchess significantly increased their visibility in 2025, signaling a more robust return to the public eye. Their visit to New York City in April 2025 for a new documentary announcement was a high-profile event, complete with media scrutiny and public attention.

These appearances are strategic, aligning with their new projects and reinforcing their brand as a global power couple focused on humanitarian and media endeavors. Their public movements are now managed through their own security and team, including new threat assessments from the Risk Management Board (RMB), reflecting their non-royal status.

5. Family Focus and Holiday Traditions

Despite a demanding schedule packed with brand launches, Netflix deals, and global travel, the couple remained committed to their family life in Montecito. After a busy year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle planned a low-key Christmas with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The couple is reportedly establishing new holiday traditions for their young family, a move that reinforces their desire for a private, stable life away from the constant spotlight of the UK Royal Family. The year 2025 is set to end on a pleasant note, with reports even mentioning a gift from King Charles, suggesting a continued, albeit distant, connection to the monarchy.

The year 2025 has been a defining chapter for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. With the launch of the As Ever lifestyle brand and the acceleration of their Archewell Productions content slate on Netflix, they have successfully transitioned from former royals to serious players in the media and philanthropic worlds. The focus on the Invictus Games and the Upfront Summit highlights Prince Harry’s dedication to advocacy, while Meghan's entrepreneurial spirit is driving their commercial success. Their life in California, balancing ambitious professional projects with their family life with Archie and Lilibet, continues to captivate global audiences.