Prince Harry Faces Uncertainty: Charity Shakeups and Royal Title Speculation in 2025

In 2025, Prince Harry finds himself at a crossroads—caught between a shifting royal landscape and the turbulence of his own charity’s internal affairs. For years, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have tried to carve out an independent path in California, but recent developments have stirred up new questions about their future, both in the United Kingdom and within the royal family.

The latest shakeup centers around Archewell, the Sussexes’ charitable foundation. James Holt, who has been a trusted advisor for nearly a decade and executive director since 2021, announced his departure from day-to-day leadership. Holt’s decision to return to London with his family marks a significant change, though he will remain involved as a senior adviser, overseeing overseas humanitarian projects (People, Reality Tea). The couple’s official statement called Holt a “stellar support” and praised his “enthusiasm and talent” in guiding their philanthropic work. But behind the warm words, there’s a sense of upheaval. Since their move to California, the Sussexes have seen an exodus of advisors—eleven in five years, with five leaving in the latter half of 2025 alone.

Meredith Maines, their chief communications officer, is another recent departure, lasting just ten months before announcing she would “pursue a new opportunity.” Maines will stay on into the new year to help with the transition, but her exit—alongside three other staff members—leaves Archewell’s core team drastically reduced. According to Yahoo and Reality Tea, the charity is reportedly down to a single employee, prompting questions about its stability and the couple’s management style.

Such rapid turnover has fueled persistent rumors that Harry and Meghan are “difficult” to work with, though the couple has avoided commenting directly on these claims. The latest staff changes have also sparked speculation about whether the Sussexes might be laying the groundwork for a return to the UK. Holt’s move back to London is seen by some royal watchers as a potential signal, even as he continues to oversee the couple’s humanitarian projects from afar (The News).

All this unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing tension between Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family. While relations with King Charles have reportedly thawed in recent months, Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains strained and distant. The brothers have not been in contact, and high-profile scheduling conflicts have kept them apart—sometimes even competing for headlines. The underlying discord shows no signs of immediate resolution.

Amid these personal and professional uncertainties, one topic looms large: the fate of Harry and Meghan’s royal titles. Since the removal of Prince Andrew’s titles in 2025 following public outcry, there’s been growing speculation that Harry and Meghan could face a similar fate once William ascends the throne. Royal experts like Tom Bower and Tom Sykes have argued that William might issue “letters patent” to strip non-working royals—including Harry, Meghan, and their children Archie and Lilibet—of their titles in a move reminiscent of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, who reduced her grandchildren’s status to “future-proof” her monarchy.

But not everyone agrees this is likely. Afua Acheampong-Hagan, a royal commentator, told Mirror that William is “not that petty” and has bigger priorities than settling old scores. She points out that the future king is focused on high-impact projects—such as Homewards, which tackles homelessness, and the Earthshot Prize for climate innovation—rather than personal vendettas. Acheampong-Hagan believes that stripping titles would appear “silly and petty,” detracting from the larger mission to modernize the monarchy and serve society.

“What would be the point?” she asks. “There’s so many other things that the Royal Family need to do to modernise, taking away people’s titles for living their own lives, it will seem silly and petty.”

For now, Harry and Meghan retain their titles, but their position remains precarious. A recent YouGov poll in October 2025 showed Harry’s popularity in the UK at 28 percent, with Meghan’s even lower at 18 percent (The News). The couple’s perceived vulnerability, coupled with the instability within their charity, paints a picture of uncertainty for the Sussexes as they approach the new year.

Looking ahead, the Sussexes’ future seems anything but settled. Will the couple reestablish themselves in the UK, or continue to build their legacy in California? Can Archewell recover from its internal challenges and regain momentum? And most pressingly, will the changing royal dynamics ultimately force Harry and Meghan to relinquish their titles, or will William’s “shrewd plan” prioritize reform over retribution?

Based on current evidence, Prince Harry’s path forward remains fraught with professional and personal challenges. The combination of charity shakeups, royal speculation, and shifting public opinion underscores a period of intense transition. As the monarchy modernizes and the Sussexes seek their footing, both sides face a delicate balancing act—where every decision is scrutinized, and the stakes are as much about reputation as they are about tradition.