It has been one whole year since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their plans to “step back as senior members” of the royal family and “carve out a new role” for themselves.
Just one year after their Instagram post, Harry and Meghan are homeowners in the wealthy celebrity-filled enclave of Montecito, California, where they are raising their nearly 2-year-old son Archie.
In part hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, the Sussexes have kept a relatively low profile since moving to California; occasionally spotted in paparazzi photos while out and about. But mostly, the public has seen the family on their own terms; through videos to support causes close to their hearts.
Here’s a list of things that the couple has started or accomplished in the past one year of indepencence.
1. Charity work through their new foundation:
Archewell is the name of Harry and Meghan’s new organization that will oversee their nonprofit work as well as their audio and production ventures.
The Archewell Foundation is the couple’s nonprofit venture which they say will work to “uplift and unite communities.”
2. Becoming Hollywood producers and podcast hosts
Harry and Meghan released their first podcast special last month, after signing a multi-year partnership with Spotify. The partnership will see them both hosting and producing podcasts; with the goal of building “community through shared experience, narratives and values,” according to Spotify
3. Become financially independent
Meghan, 39, and Harry, 35, are also now financially independent, no longer reliant on Harry’s father, Prince Charles, or U.K. taxpayers for their funds.
4. Paid back Frogmore renovation costs
They have also paid back the approximately $3 million that was spent to renovate Frogmore Cottage, which is still their home in the U.K.
5. Signed a deal with Netflix
In September, it was confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had inked a deal with Netflix to produce films and series; including docu-series, documentaries, features and children’s programming, according to a source close to the couple.