Charity Backed by Meghan Markle Under Investigation for Lavish Payments

A charity supported by Meghan Markle is under scrutiny following revelations that nearly £2 million was paid to the mother and daughter duo running the organization over a span of less than five years.

The Charity Commission has initiated an investigation into One Young World, a global platform for young leaders that gained significant attention thanks to Meghan's involvement as one of its counselors since 2014.

Meghan, who delivered a keynote speech at a One Young World event in Manchester in 2022, expressed her delight at having Prince Harry by her side to witness her admiration for the organization.

However, concerns have arisen over the exorbitant pay and perks provided to top executives at the charity, particularly Chief Executive Kate Robertson, who received a £440,000 remuneration package for the 18 months leading up to June 2021.

In a similar vein, Robertson's daughter, Ella McKay, serving as one of the charity's managing directors, received a substantial pay and benefits package totaling £194,543 during the same period.

The Charity Commission issued an official warning to One Young World after investigating potential conflicts of interest, unauthorized salary payments, and bonuses allocated to senior staff members.

The regulator highlighted that certain bonus payments made to Robertson lacked proper authorization according to the charity's governing guidelines.

Despite acknowledging the trustees' good intentions at the time of these transactions, the commission emphasized the necessity for specific approval in such matters.

Tracey Howarth from the commission commended the steps taken by the trustees to rectify past shortcomings and enhance the charity's operational and governance practices.

The focus now shifts towards the Invictus Games Foundation, another organization associated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Their involvement has shed light on questionable practices within the charity sector, often serving as mere platforms for enhancing reputation and public relations.

Archwell, their foundation, faced a significant decline in donations, plummeting by $1 million in the past year, painting a concerning financial picture for the entity.

Recent tax filings revealed a stark contrast in donations, with anonymous contributors providing only $1 million each, compared to a previous windfall of $13 million.

James Holt, the executive director of Archwell, received a substantial salary increase, raising eyebrows about fund allocation amidst the foundation's financial struggles.

Despite Prince Harry and Meghan foregoing salaries from Archwell, operational costs exceeding $2.6 million and a reported net revenue deficit of $674,500 in 2021 have raised questions about the organization's financial management.

While Archwell maintains assets worth $8 million, the evident financial challenges have sparked doubts about the sustainability of their ambitious philanthropic endeavors.

The decline in donations may signal a shift in public sentiment towards the Sussexes regarding their charitable initiatives, prompting reflections on the future trajectory of their impact-driven non-profit organization.