Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced a significant evolution for their charitable organization as they celebrate its five-year anniversary.
In a move that some call “grandiose” and others “hypocritical,” the couple officially renamed the Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex explained that this is a “legacy move” intended to bring their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, into the long-term vision of their humanitarian work. This shift signals a transition from a standalone foundation to a broader family enterprise designed to “outlast any single project.”
The organization said in an announcement: “This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family, with meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good.”
A New Chapter For Archie And Lilibet
The announcement confirmed that Archewell Philanthropies is a family-run organization with Archie (6) and Lilibet (4) now officially considered part of the philanthropic entity. To illustrate this, the couple introduced their children to a community service event in November, where they helped prepare and pack meals at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles.
The announcement went on to say: “After five beautiful years, the Archewell Foundation is becoming Archewell Philanthropies. This charitable entity allows the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavors as a family.”
While supporters view this as a noble effort to instill values of service in the young royals, critics argue that the timing — amidst intense family controversy — is a desperate attempt to “cling to royal relevance” as discussions regarding their official titles continue in the UK.
The “Brutal” Redefinition Of Charity Begins At Home
The news of the rebrand has been met with sharp backlash for two other significant reasons: first, the health reports of Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, and second, his new video, where he is desperately pleading on GoFundMe for help with his mounting medical bills.
The former Hollywood lighting director recently underwent a “life-or-death” three-hour surgery to amputate his left leg due to a severe blood clot.
Currently residing in the Philippines, Thomas Markle is facing a dire financial situation.
His American Medicare and Medicaid do not cover treatment abroad, leaving the 81-year-old with mounting hospital costs that exceeded $15,000 in a single weekend.
His son, Thomas Markle Jr., has launched a GoFundMe to help pay for his father’s ongoing care, expressing fury that Meghan– who is donating millions globally — has reportedly “not given a penny” to her ailing father.
Markle Sr said he and his son are being forced to pay for the “brutal” costs out of pocket. In a YouTube video, Thomas Jr. detailed the financial strain, stating: “People are chipping away at it, and every little bit helps. Thank God it didn’t happen in the United States without insurance. It’d be hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. Over here, it’s probably going to be close to 20 grand. I almost wasn’t joking about selling a kidney the other day.”
He further explained the lack of coverage: “My father doesn’t have insurance here. He’s not covered. This is all out of pocket, and it hasn’t been cheap. My father has Medicare and Medicaid in the United States. Not here, not covered here. So, it’s just been out of pocket. I’ve given pretty much everything I had in reserve to cover bills.”
“Not A Nickel” For Her Ailing Father
Despite Meghan’s reported multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify, receiving large amounts for speaking engagements, Prince Harry’s massive inheritance, Thomas Jr. claims that his sister has not reached out or contributed a nickel to their father’s care. He expressed his frustration during a recent interview, saying: “It would have been nice to walk into the hospital and not have to pay any more bills and scramble to get the money from here, from there, wherever. That would have been nice the other day when I had to go in there and pay another $3,000 and then sign a promissory note for another $2,000. Last weekend was like a $15,000 weekend that just completely wrecked me.”
He continued with a stinging critique of the Duchess’s public image: “The one person who has the means to actually help and make a difference…no, nope, nothing. Even after the what, half million that my dad broke his a** for her clothes, her partying money, her partying supplies, her cars, her entertainment, her private schools, her trips, her college.”
Thomas Jr. also slammed “gross” AI-generated images circulating online that falsely showed Prince Harry at his father’s bedside, calling them “disgusting.”
The “Surgical” Rebranding Of Archewell
The timing of the crisis has fueled accusations of hypocrisy.
While the couple’s website highlights their commitment to “show up and do good,” critics argue that “charity begins at home.”
As of late December 2025, the GoFundMe “Markle Medical Fund” has raised just over $4,500, a small fraction of the total cost for Thomas Sr.’s care. Thomas Jr. is scrambling to raise $15,000.
