In an exclusive move blending philanthropy with high-society allure, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have reportedly put themselves on the menu for a festive season fundraiser. The couple is said to have offered a private dinner experience as part of a high-end auction to benefit their charitable organisation, the Archewell Foundation.
The Multi-Million Dollar Charity Partnership
According to a report by Mail Online, the Sussexes have partnered with the renowned charity auction platform, CharityBuzz, for this unique initiative. While the offer was not publicly listed on the site, bids for the opportunity to dine with the royal couple are believed to have been solicited at around US$100,000 (approximately £75,000). A spokesperson for Archewell confirmed the partnership, stating, “We have partnered with numerous fundraising partners over the years and CharityBuzz has been one of them.”
CharityBuzz is no stranger to celebrity-powered philanthropy. Operating for nearly two decades, the platform has raised a staggering more than US$650 million (£485 million) for various causes. Its roster of past and present experiences includes auctions with A-listers like George Clooney, Beyoncé, and Sir Paul McCartney. For context, current listings feature dinner with Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk for $10,000 and platinum Grammy Awards tickets priced at $50,000.
A Private Affair for Select Donors
The absence of the Sussexes' dinner from the public listings strongly suggests it was a private offering, extended discreetly to wealthy repeat donors of the platform. This model targets ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking unique, inaccessible experiences. A source highlighted the couple's drawing power, noting, “People will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to have dinner with them.”
This style of fundraising marks a significant departure from the constraints of their former lives. Such a direct arrangement would not have been feasible when Harry and Meghan were senior working royals under the British monarchy's strict protocols. The report draws a parallel to a 2010 controversy involving Sarah Ferguson, who was recorded offering access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, for £500,000.
Archewell's Focus and Royal Parallels
Established after the couple's move to the United States and step back from royal duties, the Archewell Foundation has recently channeled its efforts into specific causes. A key focus has been creating support networks for parents whose children have been harmed by social media, aligning with the couple's advocacy for a safer digital world.
The fundraising news emerged as Prince Harry was spotted enjoying a sporting break. He was photographed participating in the World Snow Polo Championships in Aspen, Colorado, on December 18. Playing alongside his close friend, polo professional Nacho Figueras, Harry cut a dashing figure in a blue pullover, white trousers, and a black helmet, riding a brown horse against a picturesque snowy mountain backdrop.
A Family Moment Amid the Glamour
The trip appeared to be a boys' outing, with Meghan Markle believed to have remained at the family's home in Montecito with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Demonstrating support from afar, the Duchess shared a snap of Harry on horseback on her social media, captioning it playfully, “Oh, hello there.”
This exclusive dinner auction underscores the Sussexes' continued evolution as global philanthropic figures, leveraging their unique status to generate substantial funds for their chosen causes, while navigating a new commercial and charitable landscape far from the traditional royal fold.
