Harry and Meghan’s organisation shifts focus after controversy over dropped Muslim charity
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation has broken its silence with a new public statement following backlash over its decision to cut ties with a Muslim-led charity.
Founded in 2020 after the couple’s royal exit, the Archewell Foundation was created to champion causes close to their hearts. However, recent criticism erupted when the foundation pulled funding from the Muslim Women’s Coalition. The move came shortly after the group’s founder, Janan Najeeb, published an op-ed calling for an end to ongoing conflict — a stance Archewell seemingly found problematic.
In response, Najeeb accused the foundation of punishing her for advocating peace and called the decision “painfully ironic.” She demanded a retraction and public apology, stating: “Who you fund is ultimately your decision, but we ask that you retract your defamatory statements and issue a public apology—not to salvage our reputation, which remains pristine, but to salvage yours.”
Now, seemingly moving forward, the Archewell Foundation has released a statement spotlighting a different cause: online child safety. On Wednesday, it praised the work of its partners at the Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC), saying:
“The Archewell Foundation celebrates a powerful example of progress made possible by our partners… families who have turned personal tragedy into a moment for justice and accountability in the digital space.”
The foundation also urged leaders to enact legislation to protect children online, reinforcing their commitment to advocacy despite the controversy.
While the statement makes no direct mention of the funding fallout, the Foundation’s renewed public messaging appears aimed at regaining focus on its broader mission.
