Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing renewed scrutiny after reports emerged that their charitable foundation has laid off a significant number of staff amid mounting financial losses.
According to sources cited by Daily Mail, the Sussexes’ charity — recently rebranded as Archewell Philanthropies — has been struggling to balance its books, with expenses far exceeding donations.
Staff cuts following rebrand
On December 19, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that their foundation would be renamed Archewell Philanthropies, marking the organisation’s fifth anniversary.
Just one day later, Daily Mail reported that three employees had been informed they would be let go as part of an internal “restructuring” under the new name. Among them was Kristen Slevin, the foundation’s Director of Programs and Operations, whose reported annual salary stood at $146,000.
More strikingly, sources claimed that staff were told the charity might be approaching closure — a claim that immediately raised questions about its financial health.
Following the layoffs, the organisation is said to be left with just two staff members: James Holt, a long-time adviser and close friend of Prince Harry, and Shauna Nep, a philanthropy specialist.
Limited involvement from the founders
Harry and Meghan are listed as leaders of the organisation but do not draw salaries. Sources say the couple reportedly dedicate an average of just one hour per week to the foundation’s work.
New financial data obtained by Daily Mail from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) paints a troubling picture of Archewell’s finances in 2024.
Costs surge as donations fall
According to the filings:
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Total expenses rose to $5.1 million, up from $3.3 million the previous year
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Total donations fell sharply to $2.1 million, down from $5.73 million
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Only $1.25 million was directed toward charitable grants
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Staff salaries amounted to $913,000
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“Other expenses” surged to $2.9 million, nearly triple the previous year
The result was a net loss of $2.5 million in 2024, compared with a surplus of $2.4 million the year before.
Sources believe the spike in costs may be linked to the Sussexes’ high-profile overseas trips to Nigeria and Colombia, which were widely described as “royal-style” tours.
Assets shrinking
Archewell’s net assets are now reported at $8.2 million, down from $10.7 million the previous year — further fuelling concerns about the charity’s sustainability.
Sussex spokesperson denies crisis — but layoffs confirmed
In response to reports of staff cuts due to financial difficulties, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan denied the charity was in crisis, stating that any reductions were due to redundancy rather than hardship.
“At present, the entire team remains in place,” the spokesperson said, while acknowledging that some lower-level administrative roles could be eliminated.
“We are proud to work with talented, dedicated individuals committed to helping others.”
However, on December 22, Page Six confirmed that three employees — representing 60% of Archewell’s workforce — had indeed been laid off, citing excessive operating costs.
Questions over Archewell’s future
According to an internal source quoted by Page Six, Harry and Meghan have been forced into serious discussions about the charity’s future.
“The big question is whether Archewell shuts down or is absorbed by another charitable organisation,” the source said.
“They are looking for a financial backer willing to cover ongoing costs and ensure maximum savings. What the public is seeing right now is largely a holding pattern.”
From early success to mounting losses
Archewell was established in 2020, shortly after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties.
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2021: Over $13 million in revenue, with expenses under $4 million
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2022: Revenue fell to $2 million, with expenses nearing $2.68 million
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2023: Partial recovery, with $5.73 million in revenue and $3.3 million in costs
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2024: Marked the foundation’s worst year, with donations collapsing and losses mounting
An insider told Page Six that each charitable grant issued by Archewell in 2024 effectively resulted in a net loss.
A charity under pressure
Once presented as the philanthropic pillar of Harry and Meghan’s post-royal life, Archewell now finds itself under increasing financial pressure — raising questions about sustainability, management and long-term vision.
As the Sussexes continue to pursue high-profile projects and global engagements, critics are asking whether their charitable ambitions have outpaced financial reality.
For now, Archewell remains operational — but insiders suggest its future is far from secure.