However, some found this celebration underwhelming, given the occasion of the International Day of the Girl. Some observed that the items provided were of seemingly low quality, including canvas bags that appeared to have been produced in questionable conditions. These observers felt that the items served more as promotional materials for Archewell, potentially creating a misleading narrative that the foundation was making a significant impact.
There were also allegations that Meghan may have pressured certain girls to participate in video filming, seemingly praising Meghan and serving her PR purposes. However, sources mentioned that the girls resisted Meghan's requests. Additionally, staged photos were taken, where Archewell staff initially provided the children with empty tote bags, adding beanies only after the children asked for their gifts. This approach was seen as misaligned with the practices of a well-run philanthropic foundation.
A typical philanthropic foundation usually focuses on the charity's work rather than self-promotion. Instead of showcasing pictures of Archewell products, it would have been more appropriate to feature videos of children discussing the impacts of the charity or images of the actual charity workers with profiles detailing their work, motivations, and needs.
Archewell's website only shows three tote bags in the pictures, using vague language to describe the donations, raising suspicions of an attempt to allude to larger donations than actually made. Furthermore, the Archewell totes were perceived as essentially becoming free advertisements for Meghan and Harry.
These observations tie into broader concerns about the trademark registration of the Archewell Foundation, which has yet to demonstrate significant activity despite being in existence for over three years. The foundation now faces a deadline to register the trademark and appears to be rushing to fulfill tasks that should have been addressed over this period.
Reports from a French investigation revealed empty offices at the Archewell Foundation when journalists visited, raising questions about its physical presence and operations. Additionally, it was discovered that 90% of Archewell's finances were not directed toward charities, sparking concerns about fund allocation.
Similar issues were encountered with the Sussex Queens Commonwealth Trust in 2020, where a substantial amount of donations were received, but only a fraction was spent on operational expenses. It is essential to critically analyze and verify the accuracy and credibility of the information provided and the allegations made in this context.
