On December 11 and 12, 2025, two high-profile announcements occurred within 24 hours: King Charles III shared encouraging news about his cancer treatment during a major UK fundraising broadcast on December 12, while Meghan Markle revealed a new documentary from her production company on December 11.
British tabloids later reported anonymous criticism over the timing, though no official statements from Buckingham Palace or the Sussexes addressed any controversy. The events highlighted the continued distance between royal health updates and the Sussexes’ growing media ventures.
Charles’ Cancer Update and Public Health Campaign
King Charles III, diagnosed with cancer in February 2024 after prostate treatment, delivered a pre-recorded message from Clarence House during Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer broadcast at 8 p.m. UK time on December 12.
He announced that doctors would reduce his treatment in the new year due to positive progress, expressing gratitude for his medical team and urging Britons to participate in early cancer screenings. The campaign, a partnership between Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 since 2012, aims to increase screening participation—critical as approximately 9 million Britons are not up to date with their cancer screenings.
Following his message, Cancer Research UK’s screening checker website received approximately 100,000 visits, demonstrating the King’s influence on public health awareness.
Meghan’s Documentary and Sundance Debut
On December 10, entertainment outlet Deadline announced “Cookie Queens,” an Archewell Productions documentary executive-produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and directed by Alysa Nahmias. The announcement coincided with the Sundance Film Festival’s official lineup reveal on December 10.
The film tracks four Girl Scouts, aged 5 to 12, navigating the $800 million annual cookie sales industry, which sells approximately 200 million boxes yearly. Set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2026, with a Netflix release later that year, the documentary draws from Meghan’s own Girl Scout days in Los Angeles, where her mother, Doria Ragland, led her troop.
Meghan shared a childhood photo and called the project “full circle.” The documentary marks Archewell’s Sundance debut, positioning it among independent films in the festival’s U.S. Documentary Competition. Archewell Productions, launched in 2020 under an initial Netflix deal worth over $100 million (renewed in August 2025), has previously produced documentaries on the Sussexes’ royal exit and polo.
Family Health Matters and Tabloid Speculation
The announcements unfolded amid personal challenges within Meghan’s family. Her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., 81, underwent a below-the-knee amputation on December 3, 2025, in the Philippines due to blood clots. Reports indicated Meghan sent him a handwritten letter through trusted contacts, including assistance from the local U.S. consulate, following the surgery.
Their estrangement stems from 2018, tied to pre-wedding paparazzi arrangements. Days after both announcements, British tabloid RadarOnline published reports from unnamed “palace insiders” calling Meghan’s documentary timing “super-cynical and tone deaf,” claiming it overshadowed Charles’ health update. However, these claims remain unverified by major news organizations, and neither Buckingham Palace nor the Sussexes issued statements addressing any timing concerns.
Most mainstream outlets, including BBC, CNN, People, and Deadline, reported the two events separately without controversy framing. As 2026 approaches, King Charles continues his cancer treatment with reduced intensity while bolstering public health initiatives, and Archewell advances its Netflix slate with its first major film festival premiere.
Sources:
RadarOnline – December 15, 2025 (Entertainment tabloid; claims based on anonymous sources)
BBC – Various dates (King Charles cancer updates, Thomas Markle coverage)
CNN – December 12, 2025 (King Charles cancer update)
Deadline – December 11, 2025 (Cookie Queens announcement)
People – December 11, 2025 (Cookie Queens announcement)
CNN Business – March 10, 2021 (Girl Scout cookie industry value)