Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charity foundation has been declared delinquent and ordered to stop raising or spending money, Page Six can reveal.
The royal duo have let the official registration fees for their charity, Archewell, lapse since at least the beginning of May, according to an official letter from California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta.
The document states that Archewell has been listed as “delinquent” with the registry of charities and fundraisers for failing to submit its annual report and its registration fees.
The note adds, “An organization that is listed as delinquent is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds.
“The organization may also be subject to penalties and its registration may be suspended or revoked by the Registry.”
Archewell now has to submit records to show why its payment is late, and pay late fees.
Initially sources told us Monday that the foundation has filed for an extension. Later we were told that a check sent with the filing to the AG’s office appeared not to have been received and a new one has been issued meaning the foundation should be back on track when it is processed.
The couple set up their foundation after moving to the US in March 2020 after quitting their senior royal roles.
The group includes the couple’s nonprofit charitable foundation, as well as for-profit business divisions focusing on media production, Archewell Audio and Archewell Productions.
The news of the late filing comes as Harry was snubbed by his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, on a trip to London before starting a semi-royal tour of Nigeria with his wife.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted by excited crowds during their three-day visit to the West African country that Markle called her “motherland” after a DNA test found that she is 43 percent Nigerian.
She also showed off a cross necklace previously owned by her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, gifted to her by her husband.
A royal source told Page Six, “It’s certainly been a very royal week for Harry and Meghan!”
Despite any issues with Archwell, the couple announced an expansion of the partnership between the GEANCO Foundation in Abuja and their own foundation.
After spending time with the nonprofit that administers the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls, Harry, 39, and Markle, 42, announced that Archewell’s existing initiative dedicated to serving girls and young women in Nigeria with menstrual health products and educational services will now include mental health resources and training for young men and women.
The announcement coincides with an inaugural Mental Health Summit organized over two days for nearly 200 students in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex opened the summit by speaking to the young people gathered there.