Prince Harry and Meghan face backlash over charity donation but what they did is 'completely normal'

Prince Harry and Meghan Marklelaunched Archewell Foundation, a charity, in 2020. Only three years old, the foundation has just released its 2020-2022 Impact Report. However, the foundation’s report wasn’t met with positive feedback.

‘Missing $10 million’

Prince Harry and Meghan’s charity foundation raised a massive $13 million in its first three years. The report showed that of those $13 million, $3 million was spent on Covid-19 vaccine equity as well as refugee resettlement, as reported by TheIndependent.

However, many took to Twitter to question the foundation as to what the rest of the money was used for. One user wrote:

They ‘raised’ $13m and gave away $3m. My word, what is the rest going to being used for? Clothing and hotel allowance?

While another wrote:

Okay - where’s the other $10m?

Indeed it seems many are confused about where the $10 million went. Luckily one person on Twitter was there to explain.

Read more:

⋙ Prince Harry and Meghan lose 'critical' aides once again as their company goes through major changes

⋙ Prince Charles will not accept bags of cash for his charity ever again

‘It’s not used all at once’

Despite the major backlash the couple’s foundation received, some have also defended the charity, explaining how charities actually work.

Royal reporter RS Locke explained that it is completely normal for startup foundations to not use all of their donated money in order to create a ‘reserve.’ To illustrate what he was explaining, Locke showed the report from Prince William and Prince Harry’s foundation, The Royal Foundation.

Read more: ⋙ Prince Harry and Prince William's feud may have started in their childhood due to this bizarre reason

In 2011, The Royal Foundation received £4.8 million in resources and gave out £1.3 million in grants. Locke explained ‘any resources not expended are carried over in reserve.’

Many responded to Locke’s tweet showing gratitude that he took the time to explain how charities work. One user wrote:

Great example here. Yes, it’s extremely important that newly established foundations like Archewell build a reserve (cushion) from raised funds.This reserve is what helps them to be more viable.

Another wrote:

For those in the back, when you raise money you don’t have to give it all away within a year. Archewell is a startup that’s been around for less than three years and has already done soooo much.

Sources used:

The Independent: 'Harry and Meghan supporters defend Archewell foundation after critics ask where $10m has gone'

Daily Mail: 'Charity boss brands 12.6m Covid vaccine drive highlighted in Archewell report a ‘collective’ effort - as Harry and Meghan face questions over how remaining $10m raised will be spent'