The philanthropic venture of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is facing renewed scrutiny. This comes on the heels of a quiet but significant rebranding of their charitable organisation. Marking its fifth anniversary, the couple announced that the Archewell Foundation will now operate under the new name Archewell Philanthropies.
What Does the Rebrand Truly Signify?
While the Sussexes presented this change as a natural evolution to allow their family to expand its global charitable work, critics were quick to probe the substance behind the new name. The spotlight intensified when prominent pop culture commentator Perez Hilton publicly challenged the foundation's operational structure, financial health, and overall transparency. This has reignited a broader debate about the governance of celebrity-driven non-profit entities.
According to the official website, the rebrand is designed to enable Prince Harry, Meghan, and their children to broaden their family-led philanthropic initiatives. However, Hilton argued on his podcast that the shift is more profound than just a name change. He revealed that Archewell has adopted a fiscal sponsor model, a move he believes fundamentally alters how the organisation functions.
Financial Figures and "Shady" Allegations
"That sounds hella shady to me. If I was a really, really rich person, I would not be donating to Archewell Philanthropies," Hilton stated, questioning if there could be "some nefarious going on." Although fiscal sponsorship is a legal and common framework for nonprofits, Hilton doubted its alignment with the Sussexes' public image of hands-on, direct philanthropy.
He further pointed to financial disclosures that, in his view, reveal a troubling imbalance. "And here's the shadiest part… They had expenses of over $5 million. They took in over $2.1 million in donations, and they only gave out $1.25 million in grants. The math ain't mathing," Hilton asserted, highlighting the gap between income, expenditure, and actual grant distribution.
A Foundation Under the Microscope
Adding to the controversy, Hilton criticised reported employee bonuses and layoffs during what he described as a financially weak period. He labelled the entire rebranding exercise as "a disaster waiting to happen." Public records indicating a drastically reduced staff have fueled further scepticism. For a foundation intrinsically linked to global celebrity influence, the new name appears to have generated more questions than confidence among observers.
The episode underscores the intense scrutiny faced by high-profile charitable organisations. The debate, spearheaded by figures like Perez Hilton, continues to focus on the imperative for clear financial stewardship and operational transparency, regardless of the fame of its founders.
