Prince Harry and Meghan defend themselves in new statement over Archewell’s donations

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been forced to defend themselves after new reports accused them of spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on Democratic-aligned sources via their Archewell charity – including Ashley Biden’s non-profit organisation.

In a new bombshell report, the New York Post highlighted that the Archewell Foundation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s charity set up in 2020 after they quit the Royal Family, spent a total of £624,493 ($786,550) on various operatives somehow linked to the Democratic party.

Their biggest donation was handed to Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley, as the charity rolled out £198,491 ($250,000) to the Women’s Wellness Space, a charity set up by her in 2023.

Last year, Archewell’s annual impact report for 2023 to 2024 showcasing its philanthropic work done throughout the year did indicate it became a founding partner and supporter of Ms Biden’s charity, which is a trauma-informed wellness centre for women in north Philadelphia.

The report said: “Drawing from her experience with the criminal justice system, Biden’s initiative is inspired by her work with Mural Arts’ Women’s Reentry Program, providing support and opportunities for formerly incarcerated women.”

Their donation was also visible in the charity’s latest tax return.

Archewell donated another £116,316 to Jiore Craig in 2023, an independent media strategist who has been called the Democrats’ “go-to” for “countering disinformation”.

The Sussexes’s charity also gave £123,104 to Herlihy Loughran, a firm that claims to link influential people and organisations to good causes set up by two former royal aides Beth Herlihy and Clara Loughran.

Lastly, Archewell gave £71,456 to Markup News Inc., a New York Charity funded by Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and Democratic mega-donor George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, according to the report.

But a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex defended Archwell’s donations, telling the outlet: “It’s important to note The Duke and Duchess did not endorse any candidate in the [2024 presidential] election and to suggest they’re trying to curry favour with the Democratic Party — simply because a donation went to Ashley Biden’s nonpartisan nonprofit focused on women’s mental health, or because they hired a consultant specializing in digital safety — is misguided.