Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation has been ordered to stop raising or spending money by California officials after the organization received a delinquency notice.
The Archewell Foundation, founded in 2020 by the royals, was recently declared delinquent by California’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers. A notice was handed down due to the organization “failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees.”
The notice, which California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued, revealed that the Archewell Foundation is listed as delinquent and is not in “good standing.”
“[The Archewell Foundation] is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required,” the notice further reads. “Including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds.”
An insider close to the situation told E! News that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charity foundation has filed on time. However, the renewal fee check was not received by the registry.
The source stated a new check has been issued and mailed. The organization believes that the matter will be resolved quickly and it will be back to “good standing” soon.
The news about the Archewell Foundation’s struggles comes one day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle finished their first visit to Nigeria.
During their three-day trip, the couple held a few events, including a mental health summit and a volleyball game with military families. They also attended a children’s basketball camp and a charity polo event for Nigeria Unconquered, which works closely with the Prince’s Invictus Games.
Before his Nigeria visit, Prince Harry went to London to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. His father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince William, were “too busy” to visit with him. However, the Prince was able to reunite with, the Spencers, who are the family of his late mother, Princess Diana.
The Nigeria Trip Marks Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s First International Tour Since Stepping Away From Senior Royal Duties
The Nigeria trip is the first international tour Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have done since stepping away from their royal duties.
The couple, who share children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, shocked the world in early Jan. 2020 when they announced their plans to step down on Instagram.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent,” the message reads. “While continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.”
The couple also announced that they were planning to balance their time between the United Kingdom and North America. This was a way for them to continue to honor their duty to Queen Elizabeth.
At the time, Queen Elizabeth approved of the situation and issued a statement. She noted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s family will always be much-loved members of the royal family.
“I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years,” she stated. “And support their wish for a more independent life.”
However, the move has since caused estrangement between Prince Harry and his father King Charles III and Prince William. The situation also did not improve with the release of Harry’s memoir Spare in early 2023. The book was released just months after Queen Elizabeth’s death.