Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s ‘Archewell’ declared ‘delinquent’ by US watchdog
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charity has been declared “not in good standing” by the watchdog after failing to pay fees and disclose documents.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charity foundation has been declared “delinquent” and ordered to stop raising or spending money.
The royal duo have 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, Page Six reports.
The document states that Archewell has been listed as delinquent with the registry of charities and fundraisers for failing to submit its annual report and its registration fees.
The note adds, “An organization [sic] that is listed as delinquent is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds.
“The organization [sic] may also be subject to penalties and its registration may be suspended or revoked by the Registry.”
Archewell now has to submit records to show why its payment is late, and pay late fees.
Initially sources told the Post Monday that the foundation has filed for an extension. Later we were told that a cheque sent with the filing to the attorney general’s office appeared not to have been received and a new one has been issued, meaning the foundation should be back on track when it is processed.
The couple set up their foundation after moving to the US in March 2020 after quitting their senior royal roles.
The group includes the couple’s non-profit charitable foundation, as well as for-profit business divisions focusing on media production, Archewell Audio and Archewell Productions.
Further, the Mail reports that Archewell has suffered a significant decline in donations according to tax filings disclosed by the organisation.
Records from CharityWatch show Archewell received just over $US2 million donations in 2022, compared to $US13 million in 2021.
News of the late filing comes as Harry was snubbed by his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, on a trip to London before starting an unofficial royal tour of Nigeria with his wife.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted by excited crowds during their three-day visit to the West African country that Markle called her “motherland” after a DNA test found that she is 43 per cent Nigerian.
She also showed off a cross necklace previously owned by her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, gifted to her by her husband.
Despite any issues with Archewell, the couple announced an expansion of the partnership between the GEANCO Foundation in Abuja and their own foundation.
After spending time with the non-profit that administers the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls, Harry, 39, and Markle, 42, announced that Archewell’s existing initiative dedicated to serving girls and young women in Nigeria with menstrual health products and educational services will now include mental health resources and training for young men and women.
The announcement coincides with an inaugural Mental Health Summit organised over two days for nearly 200 students in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex opened the summit by speaking to the young people gathered there.
This story originally appeared on New York Post and was reproduced with permission
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