Prince Harry and wife Meghan’s newly rechristened Archewell Philanthropies is reportedly potentially facing an investigation over financial discrepancies and ballooning expenses. The scandal is said to be wreaking havoc on the couple’s marriage — and may even torpedo the royal’s reconciliation with his father, King Charles, sources say.
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“Archewell is Harry and Meghan’s crown jewel,” a courtier confides. “It’s been central to their humanitarian mission since leaving their official roles in Britain’s royal family. If it were linked to any wrongdoing or fraud, the shame could shred their public image — and may even tear apart their seven-year marriage.” (A rep for the couple denies there is a potential investigation.)
Late last year, the prince and the former actress announced that their much-ballyhooed Archewell Foundation would now be known as Archewell Philanthropies as it transitions to a fiscal sponsorship model.
Contrary to previous reports that suggested $4 million had been unreported in Archewell’s 2022 tax return, the charity has clarified that all funds were properly accounted for, and that sum is reflected in the current tax filing for the 2023 fiscal year.
In 2024, according to published records, Archewell’s expenses totaled $7.5 million — up significantly from 2023 — while taking in $3.1 million in donations and giving out $1.8 million in grants.
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In Archewell’s 2024 Impact Report, co-executive directors James Holt and Shauna Nep shared: “Our purpose is simple yet impactful: to show up, do good … to drive positive change, rally for communities in need and nurture spaces where everyone is seen, valued and supported.”
There has been no evidence of wrongdoing by the Duke or Duchess of Sussex or Archewell, which recently saw the resignation of Holt, who is moving back to England from America after five years at the charity’s helm.
But sources believe Archewell’s financial matters are a massive concern for the pair, who ditched palace duties — and Harry’s native U.K. — in 2020 and set out to chase fame and fortune in Meghan’s home state of California.
Insiders say the situation surrounding Archewell is one of many headaches for the 41-year-old duke and his former Suits star spouse, 44.
Harry’s reputation was rattled last year when he abruptly resigned as patron of Sentebale, the African HIV charity he established in 2006 in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana. Dr. Sophie Chandauka — who has headed Sentebale since July 2023 — said the way the duke handled his departure from the charity amounted to “harassment and bullying at scale.”
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Harry has said he and cofounder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down because the relationship between the charity’s trustees and Dr. Chandauka “broke down beyond repair.”
After investigating, Britain’s Charity Commission later said it found no evidence of “widespread or systemic bullying or harassment” at Sentebale.
Still, sources say heartsick Harry was rocked by the accusations. And as Globe recently reported, insiders say Meghan is already having a meltdown as her carefully curated life comes apart at the seams.
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In a short time, nearly 25 staffers have fled the Sussexes’ domain, including Meredith Maines, their U.S. publicist.
“Meghan is blaming everyone around her for her troubles — especially Harry,” says a source. “She is seeing everything she left England for falling apart, and she’s terrified she may have to go crawling back. Meanwhile, Harry is apparently blaming her, and he’s ready to return to the royal family!”
As the duke’s once-frosty relationship with his father continues to thaw, the U.K. Home Office is said to be on the verge of approving security on demand for the king’s second-born during his trips home.
But courtiers predict the scandal-averse monarch may keep his distance when Harry returns to the U.K. if Archewell is probed by authorities.
“It’s an intense time for Harry and Meghan,” the insider says. “And the pressure shows no sign of letting up.”