LONDON:
Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are revamping their charitable organisation as part of an effort to expand the couple’s global philanthropic work, their spokesperson has said, marking the latest evolution of the foundation they established after stepping back from royal duties.
Shortly after leaving their official roles and relocating to the United States in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched the Archewell Foundation, named after their son Archie. The organisation became a central pillar of their post-royal lives, alongside commercial ventures in media and publishing, as they sought to carve out new careers and identities outside the constraints of the British monarchy.
Under the new changes, the foundation will become Archewell Philanthropies, transitioning to a fiscal sponsor model designed to streamline its administrative structure and provide greater operational flexibility, the couple’s spokesperson said in a statement. Fiscal sponsorship typically allows organisations to reduce overheads while partnering with established entities to manage compliance and funding distribution.
The spokesperson said the revamped structure would broaden the family’s “meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good.” The shift, they added, would allow the organisation to respond more quickly to emerging humanitarian needs and deepen its collaboration with partners around the world.
Since its creation, the Archewell Foundation has focused on a range of social issues, including mental health, gender equality and the harmful effects of social media, particularly on children and young people. The foundation has worked with researchers, advocacy groups and technology-focused initiatives aimed at promoting safer digital spaces and tackling online abuse and misinformation.
In September, the foundation donated $500,000 to humanitarian causes supporting children affected by conflict in Gaza and Ukraine, reflecting the couple’s stated commitment to aiding vulnerable communities during times of crisis. Previous initiatives have also included support for vaccine equity, disaster relief and grassroots organisations addressing racial justice and community resilience.
The charitable work echoes elements of Harry and Meghan’s former royal responsibilities, which included championing causes linked to health, education and social inclusion. However, since their departure from royal life, the couple’s philanthropic activities have been closely scrutinised and, at times, criticised.
Some critics have accused the Sussexes of leveraging their royal connections and titles to advance commercial interests alongside their charitable efforts. Supporters, however, argue that the couple are using their global profile to draw attention to underfunded issues and modernise the way philanthropy intersects with media and advocacy.
Alongside Archewell Philanthropies, the couple also operate Archewell Productions, their media company. In August, the company announced it had agreed a “multi-year, first-look deal” with Netflix for film and television projects, extending a partnership that began soon after their move to California.
Under the deal, Harry and Meghan have already produced several projects for the streaming giant, including a high-profile documentary series examining their relationship and their departure from the royal family. The series attracted widespread attention and reignited debate in Britain and beyond about the monarchy, privacy and media intrusion.
More recently, Netflix broadcast Meghan’s lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan,” which focuses on wellness, creativity and everyday living. While reception has been mixed, the show reflects the couple’s broader strategy of blending personal storytelling, entertainment and values-driven messaging.
The revamp of their charitable arm comes at a time when high-profile philanthropy is increasingly under pressure to demonstrate transparency, measurable impact and efficiency.
By shifting to a fiscal sponsor model, Archewell Philanthropies appears to be positioning itself to meet those expectations while maintaining flexibility in an unpredictable global environment.
