Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Charities Spend More on Legal Fees Than They Raised

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reportedly spent more money on legal fees for their charities in 2020 than they raised.

According to court documents, the Sussex's US charity Archul, which was only opened last January, raised less than $50,000 in 2020.

Meanwhile, documents for their UK charity Sussex Royal, which changed its name to MWX Foundation in 2020 and is currently being dissolved, show that they spent more than $55,000 on legal fees, including attorneys' costs for wrapping up the non-profit.

The couple's charities have been surrounded by controversy since their launch, revealing family divisions and drawing criticism over their UK-based use of opaque and secretive Delaware corporations.

UK companies' house filings show that the defunct British charity had more than $380,000 in its accounts in 2020, and spent at least $55,600 on attorneys, including about $35,000 to Harbottle & Lewis and $20,600 to an unidentified law firm.

The Sussex's American charity Archul was set up in April 2020, but did not open its bank account until January 2021.

Archul received its first deposit the following month, according to the foundation's filings.

Charities are required to file a public form 990 with the IRS each year, which details their finances.

Most charities that receive less than $50,000 are only required to file a postcard with some very limited information.

This month, Harry and Meghan's charity told the IRS its gross receipts for 2020 were less than $50,000.

The lack of donations to the former royals' charity last year could come as a surprise after news of its launch made headlines around the world in April 2020.

But sources close to Harry and Meghan told that they were delaying any official Archul projects to focus on the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, and would begin in earnest when the time is right.

The Sussex's incorporated their U.S. charity in Delaware on April 17, 2020, after applying for the Archul trademark the month before.

They applied for federal tax-exempt status in August 2020 and received it on October 22 that year, backdated to the day the charity was set up.

If the Sussex's raised more than $50,000 in 2021, they will be required to file more detailed accounts next December.

Harry and Meghan's charities have been a source of controversy from their inception.

In September, reports emerged that they allegedly stiffed an unnamed charity for $110,000.

The couple reportedly promised to repay the debt within a year, but the damage to their reputation was already done.

Apparently, the couple's finances were wrapped up in their Sussex Royal Foundation, which they rebranded as the MWX Foundation to remove the word royal from their business.

Even though the foundation began liquidating soon after, the tabloid insists that Markle and Harry are still profiting from their royal status.

Moreover, the couple reportedly still owes £78,500 to charity as their foundation finally goes into liquidation.

A claim of £213,000 had been received from a creditor relating to a grant due to a not-for-profit enterprise.

A total of £134,500 has been paid off, according to the most recent figures, leaving £78,500 left to hand over.

However, more than 12 months later, the outstanding amount on the company's house document remains.

In conclusion, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's charities spent more money on legal fees than they raised in 2020.

Despite the lack of donations to their charities last year, sources close to the couple say that they were delaying any official Archul projects to focus on the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.

The couple's charities have been a source of controversy from their inception, with reports of them allegedly stiffing an unnamed charity for $110,000.