Prince Harry and Meghan Charity Crisis Bursts Bubble

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation had been listed as "delinquent" on the U.S. charities register—even as the couple come down from the high of a successful overseas tour.

The issue was resolved within hours, but not before a rash of headlines even as the couple traveled back from a visit to Nigeria.

The charity had been sent a letter stating it had been given a "delinquent" status and citing the reason as "failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees."

Newsweek understands Harry and Meghan's team believe they had in fact sent all the relevant paperwork and fees by tracked mail. The story was broken by the Daily Mail on May 13, and by May 14 the Department of Justice clarified the charity's status had been updated to current, removing the issue.

California Governor Gavin Newsom subsequently defended the couple, suggesting the issue was "wildly overhyped."

The stakes were potentially high as delinquent status prevents charities from fundraising and can ultimately lead to an organization losing its tax-exempt status.

A letter signed by Rob Bonta, California's attorney general and seen by Newsweek read: "The above captioned entity is listed as delinquent with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers for failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees."

"An organization that is listed as delinquent is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds," the letter continues.

"The organization may also be subject to penalties and its registration may be suspended or revoked by the registry."

Harry and Meghan had been on a high after a successful tour of Nigeria in which they celebrated the duchess' discovery that her ancestry tracks back to the West African country.

The couple were welcomed with open arms and pictured playing volleyball, dancing with school children and celebrating the prince's Invictus Games tournament for veterans.

However, the delinquent status that was briefly given to the Archewell Foundation sparked a rash of bad headlines in both Britain and America.

Sussex staff succeeded in getting the listing overturned.

A video published on YouTube by the California Department of Justice explains the significance of delinquent status: "The reason for being listed as delinquent, suspended or revoked may be the result of your organization's failure to file its annual reports with the registry."

"Your organization may also have failed to pay the correct amount of filing fees or the filings were rejected as being incomplete," the video continues.

"It is important to cure the organization's delinquent status as soon as possible because the consequences of being delinquent may include late fees, suspension or revocation by the registry and loss of tax exemption from the franchise tax board.

"A delinquent status may also result in the loss of donations and government grants, not to mention damage to your organization's reputation."

Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

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