To start, Esther K called the couple "utterly ridiculous" and said that Prince Harry wasn't contributing much. She believes that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's lives have been overblown, mostly because of their royal ties.
However, the irony lies in their quest for privacy, while they have pursued lucrative deals with streaming giants like Netflix and Spotify. It seems like fame for the sake of fame.
In response to this criticism, the Sussexes' magazine, Town and Country, is featuring a glowing article about Harry and his philanthropic work this month. The article highlights his decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, effectively relinquishing one of the world's most powerful platforms. But Esther K raises an essential point: Has Harry truly transitioned into a meaningful role as a content creator for streaming services?
It's worth noting that Archewell, the Sussexes' foundation, raised over $13 million in its first year of operation, outspending both the Clinton and Obama foundations during their initial year. However, it's crucial to consider that $10 million of that sum came from a single donor, raising questions about the motivations behind such a significant contribution.
Harry's involvement in charities often seems more theoretical than hands-on, with occasional attendance at events that require extensive worldwide travel, often on private jets. Charity Navigator hasn't assigned a score to Archewell, despite its alleged three years in existence. The lack of evaluation might be due to incomplete data, lack of direct services, or limited reliance on individual donations.
To make matters more intriguing, Archewell hasn't filed a 990 form since 2021. A 990 form is akin to a tax return for charities and nonprofit corporations. The IRS mandates this filing to ensure transparency in income and expenses. The absence of a 2022 990 form could mean that the Sussexes are either late in submitting it (due in May) or have filed an extension but haven't met the extended deadline yet. Failure to file or filing a form indicating improper spending could lead to the IRS shutting down the organization. If a charity doesn't file for three consecutive years, they lose their tax-exempt status.
It's noteworthy that their approach to trademark applications followed a similar pattern, with several extensions before allowing the application to lapse. This might hint at a potential winding down of Archewell, possibly coinciding with a divorce scenario. If Meghan revives The Tig post-divorce, she could retain all the profits while using them to offset spousal support.
The complexity of the Sussexes' financial dealings and the growing scrutiny of their charitable activities raise questions about their transparency and compliance with nonprofit regulations.
