Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have often been the center of public attention, may soon find themselves stepping out of the spotlight for a bit.
However, their latest move suggests they are plunging headlong into the complex world of American politics—an endeavor that could potentially backfire in a big way. This time, their Archewell Foundation seems to be teetering on the edge of violating IRS regulations. In a statement that seems almost a plea for relevance, Harry and Meghan once again called on Americans to vote in the 2024 presidential election.
While encouraging civic engagement is commendable, they seem to have overlooked a critical detail: promoting political activity while running a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status could lead to serious consequences. Yet, despite this, the Duke and Duchess appear to be moving forward, possibly forgetting that the IRS keeps a close eye on such actions.
In honor of National Voter Registration Day, the Archewell Foundation went all out, sending personalized letters to unregistered voters, encouraging them to participate in the upcoming election. The message, laden with a sense of moral superiority, declares that voting is not just a right, but a crucial means of shaping our communities. It’s a nice sentiment—if it weren’t coming from a tax-exempt organization, which is supposed to steer clear of political advocacy. As a nonprofit under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, Archewell is exempt from paying federal taxes and is expected to focus on charitable work. Any involvement in political campaigns is strictly off-limits. Yet, it appears that Harry and Meghan have conveniently brushed aside this significant restriction, which could potentially trigger an IRS investigation.
This is not the first time the Sussexes have dipped their toes into the political arena. Many will remember their earnest appeals during the 2020 election, where Meghan came close to imploring Americans to vote as if their lives depended on it. During an ABC special, Markle stated that “when we vote, our values are put into action, and our voices are heard.” Harry, despite being ineligible to vote in the U.S., also weighed in, urging Americans to reject hate speech and misinformation. But this is the United States—a country where citizens have been exercising their voting rights for centuries, long before Harry and Meghan appeared on the scene. It’s as though the couple believes their views on voting are revolutionary, when in reality, Americans are perfectly capable of understanding their civic duties without royal intervention.
Here’s where things take a potentially perilous turn: according to IRS guidelines, organizations with 501(c)(3) status, like Archewell, are strictly forbidden from participating in political campaigns. Yet, Harry and Meghan’s recent voter push seems to blur the line, dipping into dangerous political waters. One can imagine the IRS observing this development and thinking, "Time for a chat." Are we on the verge of seeing Archewell face an official investigation? It wouldn’t be the first time the Duke and Duchess have found themselves in hot water for flouting the rules, acting as if they don't apply to them.
Speaking of disregarding the rules, it’s hard to overlook Meghan’s continued belief that she holds some level of political influence. Despite the countless headlines and puff pieces generated by her PR team, Americans have made it quite clear that they are not keen on being lectured by a former actress and a prince who distanced themselves from royal duties. The irony is thick: while Harry and Meghan cling to their royal titles, they dole out advice on how Americans should exercise their democratic rights. Perhaps someone should remind them that in the U.S., aristocratic titles carry no weight among the citizenry.
Harry, who cannot vote in America, and Meghan, who sees herself as a political power player, seem to think their opinions will sway the electorate. But if the IRS decides to investigate, the couple may need to shift their attention from political advocacy to legal defense. Perhaps their next tour will include a stop at a tax attorney's office. They have certainly bent the rules before, but this time, the consequences could be far more severe than a dip in public goodwill. After all, if there’s one institution that takes rule-breaking seriously, it’s the IRS.
