Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charity foundation, Archewell, is in arrears and has been instructed to cease raising or spending money, according to Page Six.
The official registration fees for Archewell have not been paid since at least the beginning of May, as stated in a letter from California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta.
The letter indicates that Archewell has been labelled as “delinquent” in the registry of charities and fundraisers for failing to submit its annual report and pay its registration fees.
Furthermore, the note explains that an organization listed as delinquent is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in activities that require registration, such as soliciting or distributing charitable funds.
Archewell is now required to provide documentation to explain the delay in payment and to pay any late fees.
Initially, sources mentioned that the foundation had requested an extension. However, it was later revealed that a check sent with the filing to the AG’s office was not received, prompting a new check to ensure the foundation gets back on track once processed.
Established after their move to the US in March 2020, the foundation includes both a nonprofit charitable arm and for-profit business divisions focused on media production, namely Archewell Audio and Archewell Productions.
This news of the late filing coincides with Harry being excluded by his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, during a visit to London before embarking on a semi-royal tour of Nigeria with Meghan.
During their visit to the West African country, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were warmly welcomed by enthusiastic crowds, with Markle referring to Nigeria as her “motherland” following a DNA test that revealed her Nigerian heritage.
Despite any challenges faced by Archwell, the couple revealed an expansion of the collaboration between the GEANCO Foundation in Abuja and their foundation.
After engaging with the organization overseeing the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls, Harry, aged 39, and Markle, aged 42, she disclosed that Archewell’s current project aimed at supporting girls and young women in Nigeria with menstrual health products and educational services will now incorporate mental health resources and training for both young men and women.
This announcement was made in conjunction with the launch of a Mental Health Summit held over two days for close to 200 students in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex commenced the summit by addressing the young individuals present.
