Archewell, the next big thing for the Sussexes
Duke and Duchess discuss ambitious plans for their non-profit organisation with a focus on well-being
‘Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon’
THE DUKE and Duchess of Sussex are working on plans to run emotional support groups, a multimedia educational empire, and even launch a well-being website in a new non-profit organisation called Archewell.
The Sussexes, who are setting up home in Los Angeles, have drawn up proposals for a vast and ambitious array of projects under the name Archewell, derived from the Greek word for “source of action” and the inspiration behind the name of their baby son, Archie Mountbatten-windsor.
The couple told The Daily Telegraph they want the organisation “to do something of meaning, to do something that matters”.
According to paperwork filed in the United States last month, the couple are considering how to create their own charity and volunteering services, a wide-ranging website, and the sharing of “education and training materials” via films, podcasts and books.
Plans, which include trademark requests for everything from films to paper clips, are far more extensive than those originally intended under the tag Sussex Royal in the UK.
The new American venture could even see the Duchess build on the success of her old Goop-style blog, The Tig, with a “website featuring information in the field of nutrition, general health and mental health”, along with entertainment.
The Sussexes had not planned to launch details of the “non-profit” just yet, emphasising that they and the world were rightly focusing on the threat posed by coronavirus.
But after paperwork, including the name, was filed in the public domain in the US, and unearthed by this newspaper, they confirmed they will be launching under the name Archewell. The Duke and Duchess told The Daily Telegraph: “Like you, our focus is on supporting efforts to tackle the global Covid-19 pandemic but faced with this information coming to light, we felt compelled to share the story of how this came to be.
Before Sussex Royal came the idea of ‘Arche’ – the Greek word meaning ‘source of action’. “We connected to this concept for the charitable organisation we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our son’s name. To do something of meaning, to do something that matters. “Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon. We look forward to launching Archewell when the time is right.” The couple have previously considered variations on the name including Arche Foundation and Archeway. Ambitious plans now under consideration for Archewell include “organising and conducting support groups for persons in need”, including “emotional counselling” and “coordinating social, personal care, and psychological services”. And there is the potential to self-publish articles, magazines, books, music, podcasts, television shows and computer software.
As well as creating and handing out awards to others, they could provide “classes, lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops and retreats on a variety of topics”, run a mentoring scheme, or conduct and host “events and exhibitions for cultural, sporting, health, mental health and entertainment purposes”.
Other items which they have applied to trademark are understood to be purely as a protective measure, to prevent others from using the name, and include: clothing and “calendars; photographs; posters; art prints; paper stationery; journals; notebooks; pens; pencils; paper clips; binders”.
Now that they have moved to LA, the documents give a clear insight into the future ambitions of the Sussexes.