Everything's changing. Again. If you’ve been following the whirlwind that is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, you know the "quiet life" in Montecito is rarely ever actually quiet.
January 2026 has kicked off with a series of moves that look less like a retreat and more like a total tactical reset. We aren't just talking about a new hair color or a red carpet appearance. This is about a massive philanthropic hand-off, a "Project Thaw" in London, and a handwritten bookmark that’s selling out faster than you can say "calligraphy."
The Archewell Philanthropies Pivot
Basically, the days of Harry and Meghan running every single project themselves are over.
On January 13, 2026, news broke that the Parents Network—the couple's initiative aimed at protecting kids from online harm—has been handed off to a nonprofit called ParentsTogether.
Why does this matter?
It’s a shift in how they do business. Instead of being the faces of a dozens of tiny operations, they are moving toward a "fiscal sponsorship" model under their newly rebranded Archewell Philanthropies. Think of it like an incubator. They start the fire, get the world's attention, and then let experts handle the day-to-day logs.
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Some critics say it’s because their staff keeps quitting—like their long-time advisor James Holt, who just stepped down as head of the foundation. Others, though, see it as a sign of maturity. They're becoming the "investors" of the charity world rather than the managers.
Highgrove and the Olive Branch
Then there’s the UK of it all. Honestly, the drama with the Palace feels like a loop, but there’s a new wrinkle.
King Charles has reportedly offered Highgrove House as a place for the couple to stay when they visit. This isn’t just a spare room. Highgrove is the King’s beloved personal country estate.
It’s a weirdly specific offer.
- Privacy: Highgrove is basically a fortress.
- Location: It’s a middle ground between London and Birmingham (where the 2027 Invictus Games will be).
- The Snag: Prince William and Kate are reportedly "bracing" for this return.
There’s a lot of chatter about "Project Thaw." That’s the nickname for the alleged plan to warm up Harry and Meghan's reputation in the UK. Whether it works depends on one thing: security. Word is that RAVEC (the UK security body) has re-assessed Harry’s risk level, and he might finally get that taxpayer-funded police protection back. If that happens, expect to see Archie (now 6) and Lilibet (now 4) on British soil this summer.
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As Ever: The Lifestyle Empire
While Harry is out visiting fire stations in Santa Barbara—which he did just this week to support the wildfire mapping app Watch Duty—Meghan is leaning hard into her "entrepreneur era."
She just dropped the first As Ever product of 2026. It’s a $18 leather bookmark with "Fell asleep here" stamped in her signature handwriting.
You’ve gotta admit, she knows her audience.
The brand, which started with jams and rose wine back in 2025, is now moving into "quiet luxury" home goods. She’s positioning herself as a "female founder" first, Duchess second. It’s a savvy move to decouple her bank account from the Royal Family's drama.
What Really Happened With the Netflix Deals?
The "insipid" Christmas specials and the cooking shows have faced their fair share of reviews, but the numbers don't lie. People are still watching.
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What most people get wrong is thinking the Sussexes are "failing" because they aren't on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. In reality, they are building a closed-loop ecosystem:
- Philanthropy (Archewell Philanthropies)
- Commerce (As Ever)
- Media (Netflix/Lemonada Media)
They feed each other. A Netflix documentary highlights a cause, the cause is supported by the foundation, and the lifestyle brand sells the aesthetic of the life they're living while doing it.
Actionable Insights: What to Watch Next
If you're trying to cut through the tabloid noise, keep your eyes on these three specific markers over the next few weeks:
- The January 22 Hearing: Harry is expected in the UK High Court for his lawsuit against Associated Newspapers. His presence (or absence) will tell us everything about his current comfort level with UK travel.
- The "As Ever" Expansion: Watch for the brand to move into wellness tech. There are whispers of a collaboration with meditation or mental health apps.
- The Summer Invite: If the Sussexes accept the Highgrove offer for the Invictus countdown event, it’s the first real sign of a family reconciliation since the Queen’s funeral.
The Sussexes aren't "going away." They're just changing the way they show up. Instead of the loud, bombshell interviews of the past, they’re opting for a "mindful wealth" approach. It’s quieter, more corporate, and—if the sales of that $18 bookmark are any indication—extremely profitable.