Almost a year after Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan formally stepped back as senior royal family members, the outlook has changed quite a lot.
On January 8 in 2020, they made the initial announcement that sent shockwaves through the world.
Then came a significant decision to leave the UK and resettle in the United States in March, where they began isolating in Los Angeles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A few months later, they purchased their dream home in Santa Barbara, relocating there with their one-year-old son Archie.
On the surface, they seemed quiet, subdued, and private – but behind the scenes, something big was brewing.
.jpg?resize=380%2C285)
After formally stepping back, the pair announced they would be launching their own charitable foundation, which would act as an umbrella to their exisiting patronages as royals, as well as their new projects.
It’s name? Archewell.
As 2021 kicks off, the pair have now revamped the foundation’s website, giving fans a deeper understanding of they have planned.
We’ve broken down everything we think you need to know about Archewell.
1. There’s a focus on motherhood
I am my mother’s son.
And I am our son’s mother.
Together we bring you Archewell.
These are the lines to be met with when visiting the Archewell website.
Harry and Meghan’s reference to Princess Diana is clearly a sign that their foundation is about compassion, giving and care – all things the late Princess was most famous for.
Each of these qualities also embodies some of the key roles a mother plays in her child’s life.
The pair clearly have big plans to bring care and hope to a new generation.
The Duke and Duchess have been hard at work behind the scenes producing Archewell, their new foundation.
(Getty)2. There’s an unseen photo of Meghan and her mother, Doria
On the homepage, a picture of Prince Harry and Princess Diana headlines the background alongside another gorgeous childhood photo of Meghan Markle.
In the image, she and her mother, Doria Ragland, are seen embracing.
This marks the very first childhood photo Meghan has publicly released, and provides fans a sweet insight into her childhood growing up in Los Angeles.
3. Meghan and Harry have made a number of partnerships already
On the Archewell website, their key partnerships are listed, giving fans an insight into what kind of work and projects we can expect to see.
These include, James R. Doty’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Tristan Harris’ Center for Humane Technology, Dr Safiya Noble and Dr. Sarah T. Roberts’ UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry, and José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen.
The pair have already linked with a number of charitable organisations.
(Archewell)4. Their new podcast, Archewell Audio, is featured
In December, we learned of the launch of Archewell Audio, which is a Spotify podcast hosted by Harry and Meghan.
They released their first podcast just before the new year, with a very special guest in their very first intro – baby Archie!
In the rewind-repeat-many-times-over moment, the pair are heard teaching Archie to say Happy New Year, followed by all three of them breaking into giggles.
The holiday-themed episode also featured cameos from singer Elton John, producer and actor Tyler Perry, tennis champion Naomi Osaka and other big-name stars all reflecting on 2020 and their hopes for the year to come.
Baby Archie makes a gorgeous cameo in the pair’s new podcast.
(Image: Save the Children / The Duke of Sussex)5. There’s more information about their Netflix partnership
Harry and Meghan have also partnered with Netflix, bringing a visual element to their charitable work.
In the explainer section of the website, the Duke and Duchess explain the productions will inform, elevate, and inspire.
“Through its creative partnership with Netflix — the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with more than 195 million members—Archewell Productions will utilise the power of storytelling to embrace our shared humanity and duty to truth through a compassionate lens,” the statement explains.
Harry and Meghan have also partnered with Netflix via Archewell.
(The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust)
