 "Did Harry-Meghan secretly donate $600,000 to Democrat-linked causes in US?")
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have never been strangers to controversy, but their latest donations are making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
According to a New York Post report, British royals Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who currently reside in the United States, have spent big bucks from their Archewell Foundation to Democratic Party-linked causes.
Public records show that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on top Democratic Party-aligned sources, including hiring a “disinformation expert” who has worked at a company involved in nearly every major US election since the 1990s.
So, are Harry and Meghan secretly diving into US politics? What are they saying about it? And who exactly have they contributed to? Here’s everything you need to know.
Big money for Democrat-linked figures
Archewell Foundation, the California-based nonprofit founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has spent large sums of money on Democrat-linked figures, according to documents reviewed by the New York Post.
In 2023, the foundation paid $146,500 (Rs 1.27 crore) to Jiore Craig, an independent media strategist known as the Democrats’ “go-to” for countering disinformation.
The 33-year-old has had a significant career, previously holding senior roles at Greenberg, Quinlan and Rosner, a Washington research firm that played a pivotal role in Bill Clinton’s 1992 election victory. The company has also been involved in various Democratic campaigns, including helping shape public narratives about Joe Biden’s age and family.
An expert in election strategies, Craig rose through the ranks at the firm, becoming Senior Director of Digital Strategy in 2016 and later Vice President between 2018 and 2021.
Public records show that Archewell Foundation’s donations included $25,000 (Rs 21.71 lakh) to the Marcy Lab School in Brooklyn, where Craig joined the board in 2024. Additionally, $120,000 (Rs 1.04 crore) was donated to Craig in 2022.
Moreover, Archewell also contributed $90,000 (Rs 78 lakh) to Markup News Inc, a New York-based nonprofit supported by Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and Democratic mega-donor George Soros’ Open Society Foundations.
Also read: Did Harry-Meghan buy the Portugal home to escape Donald Trump's presidency?
Links to the Biden family
One of Archewell Foundation’s largest contributions was a $250,000 (Rs 2.17 crore) donation to the Women’s Wellness Space, a Pennsylvania-based charity founded by Ashley Biden, daughter of former US President Joe Biden.
The charity, which focuses on helping women impacted by trauma, opened in 2024. In addition, Archewell directed $155,050 (Rs 1.34 crore) to Herlihy Loughran, a firm run by two former Buckingham Palace aides, Beth Herlihy and Clara Loughran, for “programmatic strategic services".
These donations have raised questions about the royal couple’s ties to US political circles, further fueling the debate over their involvement in American politics.
Nile Gardiner, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, called for a Congressional investigation into Archewell’s financial contributions to Democrat-linked causes.
‘Harry and Meghan still retain royal titles and should not be engaging in any way in political activity," said Gardiner. “It’s actually outrageous.”
Meghan’s political ‘ambitions’ putting relations with Royals in jeopardy?
The recent revelations about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s donations to Democrat-linked causes threaten to further strain their relationship with the British royal family.
Harry’s brother, Prince William, recently met with US President Donald Trump, who has previously expressed admiration for the British royals. Moreover, King Charles III is said to have maintained a cordial relationship with Trump since his presidency, with the US leader offering his support to both the King and Queen Consort Camilla.
In response to the controversy surrounding their donations, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex clarified that they did not endorse any candidate in the 2024 presidential election and stated that it was “misguided” to suggest that the couple was attempting to gain favour with the Democratic Party simply because of their donations to Ashley Biden’s charity.
“The Duke and Duchess are committed to investing in people and initiatives that truly make a difference,” the spokesperson said.
Meghan’s political ambitions have long been a topic of speculation, particularly after she and Harry travelled to New York to meet with high-profile Democrats, including Governor Kathy Hochul and former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2021. The couple also reportedly held a “secret summit” video call with California Governor Gavin Newsom that year.
Meghan has been open about her dislike for President Trump, and the feeling appears to be mutual. Trump has previously criticised Meghan and recently stated he had no intention of deporting Prince Harry from the US or pursuing his visa case, believing that Harry already faces enough challenges due to his “terrible” wife.
With input from agencies
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