Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation was branded ‘delinquent’ in a scathing letter from California’s attorney general, but the charity has denied the claims

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are at risk of having their “reputations tarnished” following their recent charity scandal and project delays, according to a PR expert.

The couple’s Archewell Foundation was forced to suspend all fundraising and spending after being branded “delinquent” in a letter from California’s attorney general Rob Bonta. The charity was said to be “not in good standing” after allegedly allowing its registration fees to lapse.

While Archewell has since hit back at the claims, PR expert Ryan McCormick believed the damage has already been done. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, he said: “Michael Levine, a very wise gentleman, coined the phrase ‘Broken windows, broken business.’ Meghan and Harry’s charity being found delinquent is an embarrassment.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been hit with a fresh controversy (
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“It could be an indication of greater problems that lie beneath the surface.” Ryan pointed to the couple’s other projects, with Meghan’s podcast deal reportedly pushed back.

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The Duchess of Sussex has teamed up with the podcast network Lemonada, who have distributed the first season of her podcast Archetypes. She was said to be producing a new series for the platform, but that is now facing delays over fears of conflicts with the launch of Meghan’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.

Ryan told us: “Earlier this year we learned that Markle’s podcast with Lemonada Media was pushed back to 2025. Also, her company American Riveria Orchard still doesn’t have any details or products listed despite a massive launch.

The Duchess of Sussex has also faced delays with her podcast (
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“There seems to be an ongoing PR push to keep the duo’s names in the press in order to appear relevant and engaged in numerous projects. What happens if their deliverables are not well received or again, get postponed? Their reputations will be tarnished and public interest will decline.”

The PR expert suggested Meghan and Harry need to “take a more immersive hands-on approach to every product, service, or media production with their names on it.” His comments come after the Archewell Foundation denied claims they had failed to submit their annual report and registration fees.

An Archewell Foundation spokesperson told The Mirror: “We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing. Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRS’s processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing.”

Archewell completed an internal investigation and found payment had been filed without any error. Instead, they found it was both mailed and received prior to the deadline and are looking to the Department of Justice for further clarity on the matter.

Ryan McCormick is a PR expert who spoke to The Mirror on behalf of Goldman McCormick PR.

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