Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are in the news again. This time because the charity they founded Archewell Foundation, has been found delinquent in California. As a result, it cannot raise money and is barred from soliciting or spending funds. The state has determined Archewell Foundation has not paid its annual registration fees or submitted an annual report.
A source close to Archewell claimed that the group’s initial “check was lost in the mail” but that payment has been resubmitted. The issue is expected to be resolved within days, the source said.
However, California Attorney General Rob Bonta noted earlier this month that the organization’s renewal information was incomplete; they have not submitted an annual report or paid their registration fees. This may lead some to question whether they plan to continue their operations. State records show that the foundation’s last renewal was in May 2023 and that it has officially been marked “delinquent.”
The news has also cast a pall on their recent visit to Nigeria, where they promoted both the Invictus Games and the Archewell Foundation. One user commented, “As the AG’s letter was issued May 3, they must have known they couldn’t do any fund raising in Nigeria yet Archwell literature & meetings were held by them as well as for the Invictus Games.”
The Archewell Foundation, established when the Sussexes stepped away from the British Royal House in 2020, is a non-profit organization with an ambitious—though vague– mission to uplift communities, restore trust in information, and build a better online world. It embodies the couple’s philanthropic ethos and their commitment to driving change through “compassionate service”.
In explaining the vision of the project and their choice of name before they even launched it, and before the birth of their son whom they named Archie, the Sussexes stated, “Before SussexRoyal came the idea of ‘arche’ — the Greek word meaning ‘source of action. We connected to this concept for the charitable organization 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 foundation focuses on a variety of initiatives, from supporting mental health to ethical issues. The Duke and Duchess’s message, “Each of us can change our communities. All of us can change the world,” reflects their belief that everyone has the power to effect positive change.
However, Archewell has faced scrutiny regarding its mission and goals and it has been criticized for its perceived vagueness in its objectives, its effectiveness and transparency. The foundation’s mission statement, “Show up, do good,” encapsulates a broad spectrum of potential activities but lacks specific details, leading some to question the strategic direction and measurable impact of its initiatives.
“We consciously partner with key organizations and leaders to identify immediate needs, build meaningful initiatives, and drive long-term change,” the foundation’s website says.
According to the foundation, it backs programs that involve supporting parents, empowering girls, advocating for mental health and connecting families of Afghan refugees with the communities where they have resettled. But how these goals are achieved, or how success is measured, remains less than clear.
The Sussexes have been in Nigeria bringing attention to the causes they have long supported, including wounded veterans.
