The year is barely a few weeks old, and yet the Sussexes are already dominating every headline from London to Montecito. If you thought 2025 was a lot, 2026 is shaping up to be the year where everything actually changes for the Duke and Duchess.
Prince Harry Meghan Markle latest news usually involves a lot of "he-said, she-said" drama, but right now, the stakes are concrete. We are talking about major court cases, a massive charity rebrand, and a high-stakes return to the UK that has everyone on edge. Honestly, the vibe is shifting from "Hollywood celebrities" back to "global power players," and the transition isn't exactly smooth.
The London Courtroom Drama
As we speak, Prince Harry is prepping for a massive week in London. He’s set to appear at the High Court starting January 19, 2026. This isn't just another legal hearing; it’s a nine-week marathon against Associated Newspapers, the publishers of the Daily Mail.
He's expected to give evidence early on. But here’s the kicker: while Harry is in London fighting his legal battles, his family is making themselves very scarce.
Prince William and Kate Middleton? They’re headed to Scotland. King Charles? Also in Scotland. It’s like a synchronized dance of avoidance. Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner basically called it a "battle royale" that is still simmering behind the scenes.
It’s awkward.
Imagine flying halfway across the world for a court case only to have your brother and father move hundreds of miles away the moment you land. That’s the reality for Harry in early 2026.
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Meghan's Big Brand Pivot: "As Ever"
While Harry handles the legal heavy lifting, Meghan is leaning hard into her entrepreneur era. Have you heard of her brand "As Ever"? It’s become her main focus.
Just this month, she launched a bookmark she designed herself. It sounds small, but it's part of a much larger "mindful wealth" strategy. She’s moving away from the Netflix docuseries style and toward being a "female founder."
The PR Shakeup
You’ve probably noticed the staffing changes. It’s been a bit of a revolving door at Archewell lately. At the end of 2025, two heavy hitters—James Holt and Meredith Maines—left the team.
Maines was only there for 10 months. That’s a lot of turnover.
To steady the ship, Meghan has gone back to her roots. She rehired Sunshine Sachs, the PR firm she used back in her Suits days. It’s a classic "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" move. She needs a team that knows her Hollywood DNA but can also navigate the intense British media scrutiny that is about to ramp up again.
The July UK Return: Will She Actually Go?
This is the big question everyone is asking. There are very strong reports that Meghan will join Harry in Birmingham this July for the Invictus Games 2027 "one year to go" countdown.
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If she goes, it’ll be her first time in the UK since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022.
But it’s not a done deal. It all comes down to one thing: security.
- Harry is currently waiting on a decision regarding his taxpayer-funded security.
- He’s been appealing to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to get the protection reinstated.
- If the UK government says "no," don't expect to see Archie and Lilibet in London anytime soon.
The rumor mill—specifically sources from Star Magazine—claims Meghan feels like she has "no choice" but to return if they want to keep their titles and relevance. It’s a high-stakes gamble. If they show up and the reception is cold, it hurts the brand. If they stay away, they look further estranged than ever.
Archewell Philanthropies: A New Chapter
The charity formerly known as the Archewell Foundation is now officially Archewell Philanthropies.
They marked their fifth anniversary with this rebrand, moving to a "fiscal sponsorship" model. It sounds like boring tax talk, but it basically gives them more flexibility.
However, it hasn't been all sunshine. There have been reports of an IRS audit lurking in the background. In 2024, the charity reportedly had $7.5 million in expenses but only brought in $3.1 million in donations. That kind of math usually gets the taxman's attention.
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Despite the financial noise, they are still doing the work. Harry recently visited fire stations in Santa Barbara to support wildfire response efforts. He’s partnering with an app called Watch Duty. It’s the kind of "boots on the ground" charity work that he’s always been best at.
The Marriage Rumors: What’s the Truth?
You can't talk about Prince Harry Meghan Markle latest news without addressing the "split" rumors that pop up every six months.
Recently, Meghan seemingly shut those down with a "bombshell move" (as the tabloids love to call it), appearing in a Netflix-related segment where she spoke warmly about their "decade-long love story."
Are they under stress? Probably.
Is there a divorce on the horizon? There’s zero actual evidence of that.
The real tension seems to be geographical. Harry reportedly wants to spend more time in the UK to be near his father as King Charles deals with ongoing health concerns. Meghan, understandably, isn't exactly rushing to get back to the place where she felt most miserable.
Practical Takeaways for Following the Sussexes
If you're trying to keep up with the fast-moving updates, here is how to filter the noise:
- Watch the Court Dates: The next nine weeks of Harry’s legal battle will reveal more about his mindset than any "insider" quote.
- Look at the Branding: Meghan’s "As Ever" launches are the best indicator of her future career path. She's building an empire that doesn't rely on royal gossip.
- The July Milestone: Keep an eye on the security rulings in the spring. That will tell you definitively if the whole family is coming to the UK this summer.
The Sussexes aren't disappearing. If anything, they are entrenching themselves deeper into their respective roles—Harry as the legal crusader and Meghan as the lifestyle mogul. 2026 is the year they find out if those two paths can successfully coexist with a royal family that is currently keeping its distance.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the official Archewell Philanthropies impact reports, which usually drop in the spring and offer the most factual look at where their money and time are actually going.