Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again at the center of controversy, this time surrounding their charitable organization, the Archewell Foundation.
The foundation is facing significant scrutiny over allegations of mismanagement and its ties to missing charitable funds. This unfolding drama has sparked a media frenzy, with tabloids dissecting every aspect of the scandal. Reports suggest that Archewell received over $6 million in contributions from Fidelity Charitable, an organization facing criticism for funneling money to groups with anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant agendas. Critics argue that this connection contradicts the progressive values Harry and Meghan have publicly advocated for.
As sensational headlines dominate the media, The Globe, a tabloid known for its celebrity gossip, has been particularly aggressive in exposing the Sussexes' financial dealings. The spotlight has intensified as it came to light that Fidelity Charitable has funneled nearly $25 million to over 30 organizations labeled as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). These groups include anti-LGBTQ nonprofits like the Family Research Council and the American Family Association, as well as alleged white nationalist organizations such as the VDARE Foundation. Peter Brimelow, the founder of VDARE, has been vocal in his opposition to the SPLC, accusing it of attempting to suppress conservative organizations. He has claimed that the SPLC is a "communist vigilante group" and alleged that it pressured Fidelity to remove certain groups from its donor list.
Amid the mounting controversy, insiders suggest that Harry and Meghan are struggling to maintain financial stability, as both the British royal family and Hollywood elites have distanced themselves from the couple. Their candid revelations about royal life in interviews, documentaries, and books have alienated them from key supporters. As a result, they are reportedly exploring every possible avenue to secure funding for their charitable endeavors. However, this pursuit has led them into murky waters, as they face accusations of hypocrisy. One royal expert pointed out the irony of Archewell's motto, "show up, do good," in light of its association with an organization implicated in funding hate groups. "How can you pursue joy when you associate with a company that's funding hate groups?" the expert lamented.
Since its inception in 2020, Archewell has faced a series of challenges, including high staff turnover. At least 18 employees have reportedly left the organization, citing the pressures of working under Meghan, the self-proclaimed Duchess. The California Registry of Charities and Fundraisers even placed Archewell on its delinquency list earlier this year for failing to submit required financial statements, although a spokesperson for the foundation quickly dismissed this as a minor bureaucratic error. Nevertheless, the incident highlights the increasing scrutiny surrounding the foundation's operations.
Financially, Archewell has not fared well in recent years. A report from CharityWatch revealed that donations to the foundation plummeted from $13 million in 2021 to just $2 million in 2022. Despite this sharp decline, its executive director, James Holt, received a staggering 280% salary increase during the same period. This discrepancy has drawn further criticism, with many pointing to the foundation's connection to Fidelity as another blemish on its reputation. The $6 million donation in question has raised eyebrows, especially after online investigators noted its absence from Archewell's reported revenue.
As the world awaits the release of Archewell’s 2023 tax filings, the damage to Harry and Meghan’s reputation may already be irreversible. Many former donors have distanced themselves from the foundation, particularly in the wake of the couple’s infamous 2021 television interview, during which Meghan alleged that members of the royal family had expressed concerns about the skin color of their unborn son, Archie. A-list celebrities, including George and Amal Clooney, are reportedly pulling away from the couple, and insiders reveal that Harry and Meghan’s efforts to establish themselves in Hollywood have faltered.
In addition to these setbacks, Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and the collapse of their $20 million Spotify podcast deal have further tarnished their image. Disgruntled executives have even gone so far as to label the couple as "grifters" for failing to deliver on promises they had made. This string of disappointments, combined with the ongoing scrutiny of their charitable endeavors, has left Harry and Meghan in a precarious position, with their once-bright star seemingly fading in both the public and celebrity spheres.
