Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation, the charitable initiative they launched in 2020 after stepping down as senior British royals, has been declared “delinquent” by the California Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, leading to a halt in all fundraising activities. The charity claims that a check they submitted went missing in the mail.
California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, sent a letter to the couple’s foundation stating it is “delinquent with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers” for failing to submit its required annual report and renewal fees. The letter, dated May 3, states, “An organization 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 may also be subject to penalties and its registration may be suspended or revoked by the Registry.” The charity will be informed of any late fees owed once the necessary paperwork is received.
Page Six first reported the delinquency on Monday, with an Archewell Foundation source initially stating that the lateness was due to filing for an extension. However, a source later clarified to both Page Six and People magazine that the paperwork was filed on time, but a check sent with the filing was never received. The foundation was not notified about the missing payment until the delinquency notice was issued. A new check has since been sent, and the Archewell Foundation expects the issue to be resolved within seven business days, according to a source.
The California attorney general’s office has not responded to requests for comment.
After leaving England and settling in California, Prince Harry and Meghan announced the launch of Archewell to continue their charitable efforts. The charity’s name was inspired by their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. “Arche” is the Greek word meaning “source of action,” which the couple connected to their mission “to do something of meaning, to do something that matters.” Their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, was born in 2021.
The Archewell Foundation has partnered with organizations such as chef José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen, the Halo Trust, and the GEANCO Foundation. It has provided millions of COVID-19 vaccines, served over 50,000 meals, helped build a playground in Uvalde, Texas, and created Harvest Home’s baby boutique in Los Angeles.
The foundation’s website launched in October 2020, with $13 million in contributions in 2021 and $3 million in grants. However, 2022 saw a significant drop, with just over $2 million in contributions and expenses exceeding revenue by $674,000. The Archewell Foundation’s executive director, James Holt, earned $227,405 in 2022, including a $20,000 bonus, up from less than $60,000 in 2021.