Royal Foundation Soars as Sussexes Dissolve Charity

In a striking contrast to the recent dissolution of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's UK charity, the Royal Foundation of Prince William and Kate Middleton has seen remarkable growth.

Recent figures reveal that the foundation's income skyrocketed from £6.7 million in 2019 to an impressive £20.4 million by 2021.

This increase underscores the foundation's expanding influence and reach within charitable circles.

The Royal Foundation's financial boost comes on the heels of Harry and Meghan's decision to part ways with their joint charity in September 2019, effectively splitting up the so-called “Fab Four.”

The latest accounts demonstrate how the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have successfully navigated the philanthropic landscape since that split, securing nearly £20 million in donations and legacies.

Of the total income, £15.13 million was allocated to various charitable activities.

A significant portion of these funds supports initiatives like Prince William's Earthshot Prize, which aims to reward innovative solutions to environmental challenges with grants of £1 million each.

This commitment to impactful projects highlights the foundation's dedication to addressing pressing global issues.

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan's charitable journey has taken a different turn.

Their UK charity, previously known as the Sussex Royal Foundation, was rebranded to the MWX Foundation in late 2020 after the couple relocated to California.

However, it became clear that the foundation struggled to maintain financial momentum, ultimately leading to its dissolution this week.

According to records from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the Archwell Foundation, established by the Sussexes, reported less than $50,000 in gross receipts for 2020.

This figure starkly contrasts with the Royal Foundation's success, raising questions about the sustainability of Harry and Meghan's philanthropic endeavors.

The now-defunct MWX Foundation had approximately $380,000 (£280,624) in its accounts in 2020.

However, it also incurred legal expenses, spending at least $55,600 (£41,084) on attorneys.

When the charity dissolved, all remaining funds were transferred to Harry's non-profit travel initiative, Travelist.

In a bid to redefine their charitable impact, Harry and Meghan launched Archwell at the end of 2020.

Based in Delaware, this new foundation aims to “unleash the power of compassion” and drive cultural change through its initiatives.

Recently, Archwell has garnered recognition for its advocacy work on behalf of Afghan refugees, highlighting the couple's continued commitment to humanitarian causes.

Next week, Archwell will be honored at an event in New York, where the organization will receive accolades for its contributions to supporting Afghan refugees.

Although Harry and Meghan will not attend in person, their executive director, James Holt, will accept the Partner Organization Award on their behalf.