Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Address Allegations Against Archewell Foundation

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle TKTKTK DOJ Statement

Prince Harry (R) and Meghan Markle Mike Coppola/Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation responded to being called “delinquent” by the California Department of Justice for not paying fees.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation confirmed that they have looked into the situation and assured that the foundation is fully compliant and in good standing. They stated that any outstanding payments were made promptly following the IRS’s guidelines. Additionally, all required paperwork was submitted by the Foundation without any mistakes or misconduct.

Earlier this week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent an official letter to Archewell stating that the organization was considered "delinquent" for not submitting its registration fees and annual reports on time.

The letter mentioned that being listed as delinquent means that the organization is not in good standing and is not allowed to engage in activities that require registration, such as soliciting or disbursing charitable funds. Additionally, the organization may face penalties and its registration could be suspended or revoked by the Registry.

We want to clarify that Archewell's state filing, renewal, and fees were sent to the attorney general's office via tracked mail and received on time. In addition, the organization's tax filings were submitted in full accordance with all regulations in December 2023.

Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, founded Archewell in 2020 after stepping down from their senior working roles in the royal family. The nonprofit organization's mission is simple: to show up and do good. The Archewell website describes their approach as meeting the moment by taking action and using their platform to uplift and unite communities through acts of service and compassion.

The couple received a delinquency notice while they were in Nigeria for their first official tour of the country. This trip is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which Harry helped create to recognize wounded military veterans.

Before heading to Nigeria, Harry stopped by his hometown of London, but he was unable to meet with his father, King Charles III. According to a spokesperson for Harry, Charles had a busy schedule that didn't allow for a visit.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible for The Duke to meet with his father while in the UK this week due to His Majesty's full schedule, as stated by the representative on May 7.

Earlier this year, Harry and Charles, who is 75 years old, reunited after the monarch revealed his cancer diagnosis. In response to this news, the Duke of Sussex quickly flew to England for a visit with his dad.

“I love my family,” Harry told Good Morning America in February. “The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”

Editor's P/S:

The recent controversy surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation highlights the complexities of operating a charitable organization. While the Sussexes' foundation has clarified that it has addressed the registration and fee issues, the situation underscores the importance of compliance for nonprofits. The IRS requires timely filings and payment of fees to ensure transparency and accountability in the charitable sector. Failure to comply can result in penalties and even suspension of operations.

The article also touches on the personal dynamics within the royal family. Harry's inability to meet with his father during his recent visit to the UK reflects the ongoing tensions between him and the monarchy. Despite Harry's previous statements about his love for his family, the distance between them appears to persist. It remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved and whether the royal family can mend its fractured relationships.