Harry and Meghan Under Fire as Archewell Charity Bleeds Millions, Slashes Staff and Faces an Uncertain Future

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again facing uncomfortable questions — this time not over family rifts or royal tensions, but over money, management, and the fragile future of the very charity meant to define their post-royal legacy.

Fresh scrutiny has erupted after reports revealed that Archewell, the Sussexes’ flagship charitable foundation, has quietly laid off most of its staff following a year marked by soaring expenses, collapsing donations, and a multimillion-dollar deficit that insiders say has forced urgent behind-the-scenes discussions about whether the organisation can survive in its current form.

Once positioned as the moral and philanthropic backbone of Harry and Meghan’s life outside the Royal Family, Archewell now appears to be grappling with a reality far removed from its original promise.

A Rebrand Followed by Redundancies

On December 19, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex publicly marked the fifth anniversary of their foundation by announcing a rebrand: Archewell Foundation would henceforth be known as Archewell Philanthropies.

The name change was presented as a natural evolution — a refinement rather than a retreat. But within 24 hours, a far less celebratory development unfolded behind closed doors.

According to reports cited by the Daily Mail, three staff members were informed that their roles were being eliminated as part of an internal “restructuring” tied to the rebrand. Among those let go was Kristen Slevin, Archewell’s Director of Programs and Operations, whose reported salary stood at $146,000 per year.

For a charity already under scrutiny, the timing was jarring: a public-facing relaunch followed immediately by job losses that would ultimately account for around 60 per cent of the organisation’s workforce.

Even more concerning were claims from sources close to the charity that staff were told Archewell might be nearing closure — a suggestion that immediately raised alarm bells about the foundation’s true financial health.

A Skeleton Crew Remains

Following the layoffs, Archewell is now reportedly operating with just two employees.

One is James Holt, a long-time adviser to Prince Harry and widely described as one of his closest confidants in the U.S. The other is Shauna Nep, a philanthropy specialist.

While Harry and Meghan remain listed as the organisation’s leaders and founders, sources insist the couple do not draw salaries from the charity and dedicate, on average, roughly one hour per week to its operations.

That limited involvement, once seen as symbolic of their trust in professional management, is now being questioned by critics who argue that a hands-off approach may have contributed to the charity’s growing imbalance between ambition and execution.

IRS Filings Reveal a Stark Financial Slide

Newly obtained financial filings submitted to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for 2024 paint the clearest — and most troubling — picture yet of Archewell’s trajectory.

The numbers reveal a foundation spending far more than it brings in, with costs ballooning even as donations sharply decline.

According to the filings:

• Total expenses surged to $5.1 million, up from $3.3 million the previous year

• Donations fell dramatically to $2.1 million, down from $5.73 million

• Just $1.25 million was distributed as charitable grants

• Staff salaries totalled $913,000

• A striking $2.9 million was listed under “other expenses”, nearly triple the figure from the previous year

The result was a net loss of approximately $2.5 million in 2024 — a stark reversal from the $2.4 million surplus recorded just one year earlier.

For a charity still relatively young, the speed of the downturn has prompted serious concern among observers familiar with the nonprofit sector.

Where Did the Money Go?

One of the most debated aspects of Archewell’s financial disclosures is the sharp rise in “other expenses,” which now account for more than half of the foundation’s total spending.

Sources familiar with the charity’s operations suggest the spike may be linked to Prince Harry and Meghan’s recent overseas trips, including high-profile visits to Nigeria and Colombia, which were widely described in the press as “royal-style tours.”

While the Sussexes framed the trips as philanthropic and cultural engagements, critics argue the optics — and potential costs — sit uneasily alongside a charity reporting multimillion-dollar losses.

An insider quoted by Page Six claimed that, in 2024, every charitable grant issued by Archewell effectively resulted in a net financial loss, an assertion that has only fuelled questions about sustainability.

Assets Shrink, Pressure Mounts

Archewell’s financial strain is further underscored by the decline in its net assets.

At the end of 2024, the charity reported assets of $8.2 million, down from $10.7 million the previous year. While the foundation is not yet insolvent, the downward trend has intensified speculation that it may be operating on borrowed time unless significant changes are made.

For critics, the figures raise a blunt question: can a charity survive long-term if it consistently spends more on operations than on direct charitable impact?

Sussex Spokesperson Pushes Back

In response to growing reports of crisis, a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan pushed back firmly, denying that Archewell is facing financial collapse.

The spokesperson stated that any staff reductions were the result of redundancy rather than hardship, adding:
“At present, the entire team remains in place.”

However, the same statement acknowledged that lower-level administrative roles could be eliminated, a clarification that appeared to conflict with reports confirming the departure of three staff members.

Days later, Page Six confirmed that the layoffs had indeed taken place, citing excessive operating costs and internal reassessments as the driving factors.

Private Talks About the Future

Behind the scenes, discussions about Archewell’s long-term future are said to be ongoing.

According to an internal source quoted by Page Six, the Sussexes are now confronting a pivotal decision:
“The big question is whether Archewell shuts down or is absorbed by another charitable organisation.”

The source added that Harry and Meghan are actively seeking a financial backer who could help cover operating costs while allowing the foundation to continue in some form.
“What the public is seeing right now is largely a holding pattern,” the insider said.

Such a move would mark a dramatic shift from the foundation’s early years, when Archewell was portrayed as an independent powerhouse capable of reshaping philanthropy through celebrity influence.

From Early Success to a Steep Decline

When Archewell launched in 2020, shortly after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties, expectations were high.

• 2021 saw over $13 million in revenue, with expenses under $4 million

• 2022 marked a sharp drop, with revenue falling to $2 million and expenses climbing to nearly $2.7 million

• 2023 brought a partial recovery, with $5.73 million in donations and $3.3 million in costs

• 2024, however, proved to be the foundation’s most challenging year yet

The pattern suggests a charity struggling to stabilise its funding base while maintaining an ambitious — and costly — operational structure.

A Symbol Under Strain

For Prince Harry and Meghan, Archewell has always been more than just a nonprofit. It was meant to symbolise independence, purpose, and a values-driven alternative to royal life.

Now, as staff numbers dwindle and finances tighten, that symbol is under pressure.

Critics argue that the foundation’s struggles reflect a broader challenge faced by the Sussexes: translating global visibility into sustained, practical impact. Supporters counter that philanthropy is rarely linear and that Archewell’s challenges mirror those faced by many modern charities operating in uncertain economic times.

An Uncertain Road Ahead

For now, Archewell remains operational. Grants are still being issued, and public messaging remains optimistic. But insiders suggest the margin for error has narrowed considerably.

With donations down, expenses high, and staff reduced to a bare minimum, the coming months may determine whether Archewell adapts, merges, or quietly winds down.

What was once billed as the philanthropic cornerstone of Harry and Meghan’s post-royal life is now facing its most critical test — one that may ultimately define whether Archewell becomes a lasting legacy or a cautionary tale.