The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed that a restructure of their charitable organisation will lead to staff redundancies, particularly affecting junior administrative roles. The couple's foundation, recently renamed from the Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies, is shifting to a fiscal sponsor operating model.
Restructure Leads to Inevitable Job Losses
Responding to reports that the charity was closing, a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle clarified the situation on Monday 23 December 2024. The spokesperson told People magazine that while the organisation is not shutting down, the operational change means "some staff redundancies are inevitable."
"We will not be discussing these personnel details further, other than to say that we are honored to have worked with incredibly talented and caring people who dedicate themselves to helping others," the representative added. The Independent has also reached out to the couple's representatives for further comment.
A New Chapter as Archewell Philanthropies
The confirmation of job cuts follows last week's announcement of a significant rebranding after five years of operation. The organisation is now known as Archewell Philanthropies, a move the couple says will allow them and their children—six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet—to expand their work as a family.
"This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family, with meaningful reach and maximum impact," a statement read. The change is described as being "grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good."
Past Work and Regulatory Scrutiny
The charity has a history of supporting international causes. Notable past donations include a total of $500,000 directed to projects aiding children injured in the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. This funding was allocated across three key areas:
- $200,000 to the World Health Organisation for medical evacuations from Gaza to Jordan.
- $150,000 to Save the Children for ongoing humanitarian support in Gaza.
- $150,000 to the Centre of Blast Injury Studies to develop prosthetics for injured children.
The foundation faced a brief regulatory issue in May 2024 when it was listed as "delinquent" by California’s Department of Justice for failing to submit required paperwork and fees. This status, which can suspend an organisation's ability to raise or disburse funds, was swiftly rectified within days. Officials later confirmed the Archewell Foundation was "current and in good standing."
The current restructure and staff reductions mark a pivotal moment for the Sussexes' philanthropic ambitions as they seek to reshape their charitable operations for the future.
