California Governor Gavin Newsom Defends Meghan Markle and Prince Harry amid 'Delinquent' Controversy

California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly backed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation amid what he describes as a “technical documentation issue” that has been “vastly overstated”.

On May 14, the governor addressed the situation arising from widespread coverage of the California Attorney General’s office releasing a May 3 letter regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Foundation, which the California Registry of Charities and Fundraising designated as “delinquent”. Both a spokesperson for the Archewell Foundation and the attorney general’s office have since confirmed to PEOPLE that the foundation remains in “good standing.”

“I’m here on the behavioral health page, the mental health page. The Archewell Foundation, run by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, is doing amazing work, especially [for] women and girls, but especially around mental health,” Newsom, 56, said at a press conference Wednesday during a visit to a behavioral health treatment center in San Mateo County. A clip of the governor’s comments was also shared x a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, celebrated photographer Misan Harriman, who recently covered the couple’s three-day trip to Nigeria.

“And I just want people to know, not only are they in compliance, it was a technical issue with the paperwork that was over-hyped, and I respectfully hope that the people who put out those headlines will post this headline, that it was very a typical, technical, paperwork issue that exists for many others,” Newsom continued.

(Left) California Governor Gavin Newsom attends the Berggruen Award ceremony at the Berggruen Hearst Estate on May 4, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California; (Right) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2024.

David Livingston/Getty; Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty

Prince Harry reveals future plans — and why he and Meghan Markle ‘look forward to traveling more’ (Exclusive)

“And they’re fully compliant and they’re a famous organization that does great work in the state of California. I wanted to clear that up, because it’s important, and I just thought there was a little bit of a buildup around it that was deeply unfair,” he said.

Newsom spoke at the behavioral health treatment center to announce the acceleration of funding to transform the state’s behavioral health system, with $3.3 billion available, his office said in a statement.

California Governor Gavin Newsom on May 14, 2024 in San Mateo, California.

AP Photo/Haven Daley

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, May 14, a spokesperson for the foundation said, “We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that the Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing. Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the processes and procedures of the Tax Administration. Furthermore, all necessary documentation was submitted by the Foundation without error or incorrect procedure.”

The California Attorney General’s office confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE, “After contacting our Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, the organization is current and in good standing.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria on May 10, 2024.

KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty

Behind the scenes in Africa with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: ‘We’re really happy’ (Exclusive)

On May 14, a source close to the charity told PEOPLE that the organization met the state’s tax filing requirements, which were filed in December. All payments owed were sent via tracked mail to the Attorney General’s Office and received on time, and all claims to the contrary are false.

The source said that although the paperwork was filed on time, the check sent was never received. The organization was unaware until California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued it with a trespass notice.

The notice, obtained by PEOPLE, said the Archewell Foundation “is listed as delinquent on the Register of Charities and Fundraising for failure to file required annual reports and/or renewal fees.”

The Archewell Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, after they stepped down from their royal roles and moved to their home state of California in 2020. The attorney general’s letter listed the organization as registered with an address in Beverly Hills, which is about two hours from the couple’s home in Montecito.

“Our mission is simple: show up, do good. We meet the moment by showing up, taking action, and using our unparalleled spotlight to uplift and unite communities — local and global — through acts of service and compassion,” the website says Archewell Foundation page. .

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the State Governor’s House in Lagos, Nigeria on May 12, 2024.

KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to receive the latest news on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Harry and Meghan recently returned from an official international visit to Nigeria, where the Archewell Foundation announced two new initiatives.

At the Lightway Academy in Abuja on May 10, it was announced that Archewell is expanding its partnership with the GEANCO Foundation to include mental health resources and youth training. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke at the inaugural Mental Health Summit made possible by the partnership.

During a hangout with the Giants of Africa at Ilupeju High School in Lagos on May 12, it was announced that the Archewell Foundation has enabled the youth-focused sports charity to expand its program to include a new adaptive pitch and accessible sports in Abuja.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE about the tour, the Duke of Sussex says, “These trips are about being able to get out and about and focus on the things that mean so much to us. And being on the field, to us, is what it’s all about.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education