Just when we thought Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might finally take a break from the headlines, they’ve plunged headfirst into the murky waters of American politics. Could this be a colossal mistake? It appears the Archewell Foundation is skating perilously close to violating IRS regulations.
In a move that seems desperate for relevance, Harry and Meghan have once again urged Americans to vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. While encouraging civic participation is commendable, promoting political activity is a major no-no for nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status like Archewell. Yet here they are, pushing forward, seemingly forgetting that the IRS is always watching.
In honor of National Voter Registration Day, Archewell went all out, sending personalized letters to unregistered voters, urging them to participate in the election. The statement, dripping with self-righteousness, proclaimed that voting isn’t just a right; it’s a fundamental way to influence our communities. A lovely sentiment—unless you’re at the helm of a tax-exempt organization that should steer clear of political campaigning.
As a nonprofit under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, Archewell is exempt from federal taxes and is supposed to focus solely on charitable activities. Engaging in any political activity is strictly forbidden. Yet, it seems the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have conveniently overlooked this detail. Could this be the spark that ignites an IRS investigation?
This isn’t Harry and Meghan’s first foray into American politics. Who could forget Meghan’s impassioned pleas during the 2020 election, where she all but begged Americans to vote as if their lives depended on it? In an ABC special, Meghan declared, "When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard." Of course, Harry, who cannot vote in the U.S., had to chime in, urging Americans to reject hate speech and misinformation.
But this is America, where citizens don’t need royal lectures to understand their rights. Americans have been voting long before the Sussexes were in the public eye, yet Harry and Meghan seem to think their opinions on voting are groundbreaking.
Now, here’s where things get spicy: According to the IRS, organizations with 501(c)(3) status, like Archewell, are strictly prohibited from participating in political campaigns. Yet Harry and Meghan seem to be wading into political waters with their latest voter push. One can imagine the IRS looking at this situation and thinking, "Oh really? Time for a chat."
Could we be on the verge of seeing Archewell facing an investigation? It certainly wouldn’t be the first time Harry and Meghan have found themselves in hot water for thinking the rules don’t apply to them.
Speaking of disregarding the rules, we can’t ignore Meghan’s apparent belief that she’s some sort of political influencer, despite the endless headlines and puff pieces crafted by a PR team. Americans have made it clear that they’re not interested in being lectured by a former actress and a prince who stepped back from royal duties.
And just when you thought the hypocrisy couldn’t get any thicker, let’s not forget that Harry and Meghan still cling to their royal titles while offering advice on exercising democratic rights. Perhaps someone should remind them that Americans don’t recognize aristocratic titles in our citizenry.
Harry, who can’t vote here, and Meghan, who imagines herself as a political powerhouse, seem to think their opinions will somehow sway American elections. If the IRS comes knocking, Harry and Meghan might want to start preparing their defenses. Perhaps their next royal tour should include a stop at a tax lawyer’s office.
They’ve played fast and loose with the rules before, but this time it could cost them more than just public goodwill. After all, if there’s one institution that isn’t amused by royal shenanigans, it’s the IRS.
