Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak out after their charity was declared delinquent

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spoken out after their charity was declared “delinquent” and ordered to stop raising money.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spoken out after news their charity foundation had been declared delinquent and ordered to stop raising or spending money.

It was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex let the official registration fees for their charity, Archewell, lapse since at least the beginning of May, according to an official letter from California’s attorney general Rob Bonta.

However, the couple have now released a statement insisting that their charity was “fully compliant”.

“We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing,” Archewell Foundation said.

“Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRS’s processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing.”

It was alleged the charity did not file its 2022 tax return and pay a bill on time.

Part of the delinquency notice filed against Archewell Foundation. Picture: Supplied

Prince Harry and Meghan visit Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria. Picture: Getty Images

However, the Telegraph reported the documents were filed and the cheque was posted but it never arrived.

The Sussexes’ team was apparently not informed the cheque had been lost until it received the notice, dated May 3.

It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan had hinted they could be planning more quasi-royal tours after thanking Nigeria for the “first of many memorable trips”.

The couple have returned to the US to reunite with children Archie and Lillibet following a three-day visit to Nigeria, which they described as “unforgettable”.

But detractors slammed the couple for undertaking a “faux-royal” tour after ditching the Royal Family in 2020 to start a new life in the US.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have finished a three-day tour of Nigeria. Picture: AFP

In the press release issued on Tuesday local time, the couple completely ignored the drama surrounding their Archewell Foundation, which was listed as “delinquent” by a US charity regulator. Sources close to the couple claimed that this was because state officials did not process a cheque.

“The Duke and Duchess would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all the event organisers, military officials and the whole Nigerian community for their tremendous hospitality and the first of many memorable trips,” the statement read.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Nigeria. Picture: Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation

“Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex concluded their unforgettable trip to Nigeria with a cultural reception in Lagos and a polo match fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.”

Their statement touched on a pre-game parade and a “vibrant display of young enthusiasts in polo gear”.

They hailed the jubilant day “filled with sport and spirit”.

“The friendly rivalry between the teams, aptly named Duke vs. Duchess, added a layer of excitement to the event, with the Duchess’s team claiming victory with a score of 5-3,” the statement continued.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation was listed as “delinquent” by a US charity regulator. Picture: Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation

“The day was capped off with the couple presenting medals, a gesture of appreciation for the players’ prolific talent and dedication.”

The couple’s message concluded with an extension of their “deepest gratitude” to the welcoming Nigerian community for their “tremendous hospitality”.

There have been eight press releases on Sussex.com about the couple’s Nigeria trip which took them to Abuja and Lagos and ran last week from Friday until Sunday.

It follows Prince Harry and Ms Markle’s visit to the country to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people.

The couple attended events related to Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, which Nigeria wants to host in future.

Prince Harry greets young fans in Nigeria. Picture: Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation

The Sussexes were also welcomed at the Lagos State Government House and met military officials at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

It comes after the Archewell Foundation was branded “delinquent” because state officials did not process a $200 ($300) cheque.

The organisation was also billed as “not in good standing” by the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers – part of the Department of Justice in California, the state where the Duke and Duchess live in a $20 million mansion and operate the charity.

The registry said Archewell failed to properly submit its annual report or renewal fees and has banned it from either fundraising or distributing charitable funds for now.

But Sussex sources claimed that the notice was actually issued because Attorney-General Rob Bonta’s office did not process the cheque.

This was a different story to the one previously leaked by Sussex sources who claimed that the paperwork was filed on time but the discrepancy was down to a cheque which accompanied the documents going missing in the mail.

Originally published as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak out after their charity was declared delinquent