The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have offered a rare glimpse into the potential future roles of their young children within their charitable work. In a significant pre-Christmas announcement, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed they are rebranding their charitable foundation.
A Strategic Rebrand and a Telling Phrase
On the days leading up to Christmas 2025, the couple issued an official statement confirming a major change to their organisation. After five years of operation, the Archewell Foundation will now be known as Archewell Philanthropies. The statement explained the shift, noting the new structure "allows the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavours as a family."
While the name change itself drew attention, the explicit mention of Archie, aged six, and four-year-old Lilibet marked a notable departure. This is understood to be the first time Harry and Meghan have referenced their children by name in such an official capacity, moving beyond carefully guarded privacy.
Expert Analysis and a Friend's Bafflement
Royal commentator Richard Eden interpreted the inclusion as a clear signal of the Sussexes' long-term intentions. He suggested it indicates plans to gradually involve Archie and Lilibet in their public charitable missions in the years to come.
The statement, however, reportedly caused confusion among the couple's inner circle. The Daily Mail cited a friend of Prince Harry who expressed surprise, given the couple's previously staunch stance on shielding their children from public expectations. "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," the friend told Eden. "I can't believe Harry is behind this. It must be Meghan's influence."
A Pattern of Increasing Visibility
The philanthropic statement did not exist in isolation, contributing to a pattern of the children's increasing, albeit still guarded, visibility. It followed closely the release of the family's annual Christmas card, which featured one of the clearest images of Archie and Lilibet to date. The photograph showed the family on a forest bridge, with Archie hugging his father and Meghan holding Lilibet's hand.
Furthermore, an end-of-year video highlighted the children participating in charitable activities, such as baking cookies for Thanksgiving with a local charity. Since Meghan's return to Instagram in 2025, she has shared more glimpses of Archie and Lilibet, though consistently protecting their identities with strategic angles or emojis.
The couple has also spoken more openly about their concerns for their children's future, particularly regarding online safety. During a World Mental Health Day panel in New York in October 2025, Meghan voiced the fears shared by many modern parents. "Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming," she said, discussing the balance between technology's benefits and its dangers.
This combination of a strategic organisational rebrand, a telling official statement, and carefully managed public appearances paints a picture of a family slowly integrating its youngest members into a life dedicated to public service and philanthropy.
