OPINION
The couple have been criticised by the expert (Image: Getty)
When they stood down as senior working royals and relinquished their patronages, the Sussexes intended to be exemplars of “service,” which they informed Queen Elizabeth II, as though she was unaware of it, “is universal”. What impertinence that was!
Yet how much, despite the rhetoric, have they actually done for others? Meghan has been striving to come across as a champion of gender equality and social justice, an opponent of online trolling and also relentlessly positive.
Initially, there was considerable speculation that she might go into politics. This came to nothing, bullying allegations, which she has strongly denied, may have played their part.
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The pair have done very little charity work since stepping back (Image: Getty) Stay up-to-date with the latest Royal news Join us on WhatsApp
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However, the institution of the family is extremely important to voters and Meghan and Harry are estranged from their families, save for her mother, Doria. Her image is one of self-love, which was all too apparent in her recent cookery series With Love, Meghan and in some of her podcasts.
When she turned 40 she launched the 40 x 40 mentoring scheme, where each participant is supposed to give a woman 40 minutes of mentoring to help her return to the workforce.
However, this is a process, not an event created for 40 minutes. Meghan has had, with the exception of Serena Williams, very few A-list endorsements, but here she had numerous big names including Melissa McCarthy who fronted the video launch, Adele, Hillary Clinton and Stella McCartney.
However, the project seems to have been quietly shelved. She also is patron of a British charity to help women, Smart Works and supports an animal charity, Mayhew.
Their charitable foundation, Archewell, founded in 2020, raised $5.3 million in grants in 2023, boosted by a $5 million donation. It distributed $1.3 million to benefit several charities but it remains embryonic. It is undeniable, however, that Harry has done a substantial amount for charity, but his links to almost all his charities predate his marriage to Meghan.
Prince Harry has followed his his late mother’s footsteps by supporting the Halo Trust (Image: Getty)
His first charitable venture, which he co-founded in 2006 in memory of his mother Princess Diana, was Sentebale, which helped children and young people affected by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho.
However, he has recently stepped down as a Patron and Trustee following an angry public row with its Chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka. He and his fellow trustees faced allegations of bullying, misogynoir and poor governance and the Charity Commission is currently investigating. This could be explosive, especially as much of her anger appeared to be directed towards Harry personally.
Harry is also on the board of African Parks, a conservation charity, having previously been President in 2016. It has recently admitted that there were multiple abuses by its rangers against the Baka people in the Republic of Congo after allegations surfaced in 2023. However, at no point has Harry commented on these or on the conclusion of the report, which is extraordinary.
The Prince is Patron of the Halo Trust, which campaigns against landmines and recently returned to Angola to recreate his mother’s famous walk through a minefield, which has become iconic. He was not accompanied by Meghan, fuelling speculation about their differing priorities.
Prince Harry launched the games 11 years ago (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry was supported by his father when he launched the games in 2014 (Image: Getty)
Harry’s most impressive creation is undoubtedly the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 and which commemorated its first decade with a Service in St Paul’s Cathedral last year. It helps serving personnel and veterans who are wounded, disabled or sick and some 25 countries are expected to participate in the 2027 Games, which are due to be held in Birmingham.
An invitation has been issued to members of the Royal Family to attend. This follows Harry’s comment during his recent highly erratic interview with the BBC that he wanted “reconciliation”, he complained his father was not speaking to him and it is nearly three years since he and William reportedly last spoke.
The Sussexes are clearly weaponizing the Invictus Games, which Harry and Meghan are certain to attend. They know King Charles is battling cancer and in his late seventies. Harry, highly injudiciously, said on the BBC he did not know how long his father had left.
The monarch would also obviously like contact with his grandchildren. Invictus is an important military charity and it could be argued it is the monarch’s job to appear at the opening, which, on balance, does seem likely. This of course would give the Sussexes brand a huge boost too. Everyone would like to see an end to the royal rift, but a great deal can happen between now and then.
Prince Harry launched the impressive Invictus Games in 2014 (Image: Getty)
Harry has reportedly offered to share his official diary engagements with the royal family to avoid the clashes which have been so prevalent in the past. However the issue of trust is at the heart of the rift, the royal family do not trust the Sussexes after their destructive attacks on the institution and their ratings are terrible in the polls. If the Games in Birmingham are to be a success, they must show they have changed.
Harry has been Patron of WellChild since 2007. He will be in Britain next month for the Awards as he was last year. It was a delight watching a video of him with the children, I felt as though the “old Harry” had temporarily returned. He is also Global Ambassador for Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
Another charity he supports is the eco-friendly Travalyst, which he set up in 2019. His visit to China last May, where he spoke at two summits, was supposed to emphasise sustainability, but his flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai came in for criticism, as did his occasional use of private jets.
Prince Harry received the controversial award (Image: Getty)
Charity is rarely its own reward and Harry does enjoy receiving awards. He became a “Living Legend of Aviation”, an embarrassing soubriquet, in 2024. He then received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, but over 76,000 people, including Pat Tillman’s mother Mary, signed a petition in protest.
If Harry and Meghan were truly altruistic they would not have stepped down as senior working royals, despite their difficulties, after so short a time. Their roles included opportunities that could have benefited a great many worldwide. Meghan’s current charitable work is extremely small.
A great deal will depend on how the Sussexes handle their contacts with the Royal Family from now on. The future image of their brand could depend on it.