Prince Harry and Meghan Markle break silence over ‘missing millions’ claims
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have firmly rejected recent accusations of financial misconduct surrounding their Archewell Foundation, calling the claims “ludicrous.” Allegations that millions of dollars were missing from the foundation’s latest tax return surfaced, but sources close to the couple have strongly defended their transparency and integrity.
The controversy erupted when the Daily Mail reported that over £4.5 million ($6 million) in grants given to the foundation were absent from its latest tax filings. However, the foundation clarified that their most recent 990 tax form only covered donations received from January to December 2022, and any contributions made in 2023 will appear in future reports.
“It’s so unfair to do this to a charity when they have done everything correctly,” a source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told The Express. “The claims are ludicrous because they [the Sussexes] have always been upfront and transparent about their finances.”
The accusations come just months after Archewell was briefly labeled “delinquent” by California’s Attorney General’s office for allegedly failing to submit its annual report. This error, however, was quickly resolved. Governor Gavin Newsom publicly supported the foundation, emphasizing that the delinquency was due to a missing $200 renewal check, not any wrongdoing. “It was a technical paperwork issue that was wildly overhyped,” Newsom stated.
Despite this, the “missing millions” narrative put the foundation back under scrutiny. According to a source, “Something like this can be very damaging, especially as it’s extremely misleading.”
The scrutiny arrives as Prince Harry embarks on a series of high-profile trips without Meghan. Recently, he received a standing ovation at the Clinton Global Initiative summit, where he spoke passionately about protecting children from the dangers of social media. He is also scheduled to attend the WellChild Awards in the U.K., an event he holds dear, saying, “It is a true privilege to recognize such extraordinary individuals.”
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, tension is reportedly brewing between the Sussexes and Netflix. Insiders revealed that the streaming giant is frustrated with Harry’s upcoming “Polo” series, which focuses on his friend Nacho Figueras, rather than Harry himself. A source shared, “People want personal stuff,” adding that the show has been nicknamed “the Nacho Show” and has disappointed Netflix executives who expected more from their $100 million deal with the couple.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Harry and Meghan remain committed to their charitable work, with their Archewell Foundation continuing to focus on mental health and social impact initiatives.
