Santa Barbara has been hit by catastrophic weather in the past, including in January 2108 when 23 people were killed in a mudslide that hit Montecito following a fire and heavy rain
Prince Harry and Meghan could face a Christmas washout, with a major storm forecast to hit their neighbourhood over the festive period.
The Montecito Association issued a warning about the upcoming weather to members, understood to include the royal couple, in an email sent out on Friday night. It said: “The National Weather Service is forecasting a major storm for Santa Barbara County that is expected to occur Tuesday, December 23 through Thursday, December 25.
“The following conditions are possible countywide: flooding in low-lying areas, dangerous flash flooding, strong winds.” It added: “Evacuations are NOT being issued at this time. If you are concerned that this storm may cause unsafe conditions to your home, leave the area before rain starts. Do not wait for an official evacuation notification to leave.
“Public safety officials are monitoring the incoming storm and will continue to assess if protective actions, such as an evacuation warning, evacuation order, or shelter in place are neccesary.”
The newsletter, signed off by Montecito Association Executive Director Houghton Hyatt, included advice on what to do if the National Weather Service issues a flash flood warning, as well as detailed tips on how to prepare for the expected rain. The area of Santa Barbara has been hit by catastrophic weather in the past, including in January 2108 when 23 people were killed in a mudslide that hit Montecito following a fire and heavy rain.
The new warning came just hours after Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, shared a new family photo of themselves with their children Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, alongside a Christmas message. In the image, shared on Instagram, Archie was seen hugging his father, while Meghan could be seen bending down and holding hands with Lilibet while standing on a small, wooden bridge in woodland.
A message from Meghan said: “Happy Holidays! From our family to yours”. The duke and duchess also separately released a Christmas card and end-of-year video highlighting charitable endeavours by the Archewell Foundation, which has now changed its name to Archewell Philanthropies.
The charity was established in 2020 after the couple stepped down from royal duties and moved to the US. Announcing the name change, a spokeswoman for Harry and Meghan said: “This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family, with meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good.”
Reacting to the news, PR to the stars Mayah Riaz told the Mirror: “From a branding perspective, this is a smart and I’d say quite deliberate evolution rather than a reinvention. Moving from ‘Foundation’ to ‘Philanthropies’ signals scale, maturity and longevity. In branding terms, it’s a way of future proofing the name as their work expands beyond individual projects.”
She added: “I also think there is a reputational message here. ‘Philanthropies’ feels more global, more institutional and less personal. That can be helpful for Harry and Meghan at this stage, as it shifts the focus away from them as personalities and more towards impact, outcomes and credibility.
“It positions Archewell as something that could stand on its own, even without their names being front and centre. Timing wise, the five year mark matters. In celebrity and public figure branding, five years is often when you either quietly fade or consciously level up. This feels like them saying they’re in this for the long haul.
“The biggest takeaway for me is that this is about control of narrative. By reframing the brand now, they are defining the next chapter on their own terms. It’s less about legacy tied to royal titles and more about building a global social impact brand that reflects who they are as a family and as operators in the US and beyond.”
