Harry and Meghan’s Latest Move Suggests They’re Already Mapping Out Archie and Lilibet’s Careers
After going through a tough childhood himself, one in which his future was already predetermined, Prince Harry was always sure about breaking the cycle and letting Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet pave their own paths. This was one of the main reasons why he and Meghan Markle stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to the US: to give their children a chance at a normal childhood, far away from Palace restrictions. However, despite their earlier claims, they are reportedly already planning their kids' careers, a move that has even left Harry's friends in disbelief.
In his write-up for the Daily Mail, royal expert Richard Eden detailed that by his early 20s, the Duke had already realized he did not want to be a working royal, having seen how much the role hurt his late mother, Princess Diana. As such, his friends and family members were reportedly surprised to learn that he and Markle are allegedly planning public roles for Archie and Lilibet. While they have not stated this desire outright, Eden noted an interesting detail in their message when they announced the rebranding of Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies.
Their announcement statement read, “After five beautiful years, the Archewell Foundation is becoming Archewell Philanthropies. This charitable entity allows the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavours as a family.” While many might have easily missed one detail, as per Eden, the Sussexes' finally mentioning their children in the official statement was quite significant. “It was the first time that they had been mentioned in such a bulletin on the couple’s plans,” he opined. The couple is said to have big plans for 2026, but this latest detail has his friends doing a double-take.
Eden quoted an old friend of Harry who allegedly told him, “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. It must be Meghan’s influence.”
The Archewell statement isn't the only thing that has led people to believe the couple is trying to increase Archie and Lilibet's visibility. On the same day of the announcement, the Duchess also shared a family photograph on her Instagram, with Archie giving Harry a warm bear hug and Lilibet nuzzling with Markle. Eden noted that this was one of the ‘clearest’ images of the young Prince and Princess shared to date.
Interestingly, the concern among Harry’s friends was also earlier shared by former courtiers, who once remembered being told that Archie would not hold a title. This began with his secretive birth in London in 2019, when reporters were informed that the Duchess was in labor even though she had already given birth at Portland Hospital. Eden quoted their biographer, Omid Scobie, who had stated at the time: “As we expected, Harry and Meghan [have] forgone a courtesy title for their child, all part of giving him as normal a life as possible.” But as per Eden, the couple had a ‘radical’ change of heart as they moved to the US. “Following their daughter Lilibet’s christening in March 2023, they announced that she would be known as a princess, and her older brother would be Prince Archie,” he wrote.