Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Charity Declared Delinquent

The Archewell Foundation, the charitable organization established by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, faced a regulatory setback in May 2024 when it was declared delinquent by California officials.

According to an official letter from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the foundation was categorized as delinquent in the registry of charities and fundraisers. This status resulted from the organization’s failure to submit its annual report and the required registration fees, which had lapsed since early May 2024.

Regulatory Restrictions and Penalties

The delinquent status meant that Archewell was considered not in good standing under California law. The foundation was restricted from engaging in activities that require registration, specifically the solicitation or distribution of charitable funds.

The notice from the Attorney General’s office further specified that the organization could be subject to penalties and that its registration could potentially be suspended or revoked by the Registry.

Resolution of the Filing Issue

Reports following the declaration indicated that the issue was related to a payment that had not been processed. Specifically, it appeared that a check submitted with the filing to the Attorney General’s office had not been received.

To resolve the matter, a new check was issued. It was expected that the records would be updated to reflect this payment within seven business days. Subsequent reports from May 14, 2024, confirmed that the Archewell Foundation returned to good standing after the delinquency was addressed.

Context of the Archewell Organization

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle established the Archewell entity following their relocation to the United States in March 2020, after stepping back from their senior royal roles.

The Archewell brand encompasses both nonprofit and for-profit operations, including:

• The Archewell Foundation, which serves as the couple’s nonprofit charitable arm.
• Archewell Audio, a for-profit business division focused on media production.
• Archewell Productions, another for-profit division dedicated to media content.

The foundation’s temporary loss of good standing in May 2024 highlighted the administrative requirements for charities operating within the state of California, particularly regarding the timely submission of annual reports and registration fees to the state’s Attorney General.