With no financial support from the Royal Family, suspicious transactions over the past six months have reportedly triggered a police probe into the Archewell Foundation — the charitable organization founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Shockingly, investigators flagged a $700,000 payment made in late December 2025. As authorities traced where the money came from and where it went, the truth behind Harry and Meghan’s involvement began to surface: they had personally authorized the transfer from Archewell’s nonprofit accounts to a previously undisclosed private company linked to Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

The investigation, confirmed by sources close to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office on January 22, 2026, centers on potential misuse of charitable funds, improper commingling of nonprofit and for-profit assets, and possible violations of California nonprofit law. Archewell Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity, meaning donations are tax-deductible and must be used exclusively for charitable purposes. The $700,000 transfer — labeled internally as “brand development and marketing support” — was routed to a Delaware-registered LLC that public records show is controlled by Meghan’s business manager. Critics argue this constitutes self-dealing, a serious breach of fiduciary duty for a nonprofit.

The probe was reportedly triggered by whistleblower tips and discrepancies in Archewell’s 2024–2025 IRS Form 990 filings, which showed unusually high administrative and “program service” expenses relative to actual grants disbursed. Over the past year, Archewell has reported raising approximately $3.2 million in donations but distributed less than $400,000 to external causes, according to publicly available financial summaries. The rest was spent on “operating costs,” staff salaries, travel, and “strategic initiatives” — categories that have drawn scrutiny from charity watchdogs and prompted formal questions from the California Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts.

Harry and Meghan have not issued a public response as of January 23, 2026. A spokesperson for Archewell told media outlets: “The Foundation operates with full transparency and in compliance with all applicable laws. We are cooperating fully with any inquiries and remain committed to our mission of compassion, community, and positive change.” Behind the scenes, sources say the couple is “furious” about the leak and believes it is part of a coordinated effort to damage their reputation.

The timing is brutal. Archewell has faced criticism since its launch for low grant payouts, opaque finances, and high-profile but low-impact initiatives. The foundation’s Netflix deal ended in 2023 after one season of Archetypes, and Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard brand has been slow to launch, reportedly burning through millions in startup costs. Without royal funding since 2020, the Sussexes have relied on private income and donations — making any suggestion of misuse particularly damaging.

The Los Angeles County DA’s office has not commented officially, but sources confirm the investigation is active and involves forensic accountants reviewing bank records, emails, and internal Archewell documents. If wrongdoing is found, potential charges could include misuse of charitable funds, fraud, or tax violations — though experts say proving criminal intent would be difficult.

Public reaction has been swift and polarized. #ArchewellInvestigation trended globally, with supporters calling it a “witch hunt” and critics saying “finally someone is looking at the numbers.” Many point to the couple’s lavish lifestyle — Montecito mansion, private security, international travel — as inconsistent with a struggling nonprofit.

For Harry and Meghan, the stakes are enormous. Archewell is not just a charity — it’s the cornerstone of their post-royal identity. A formal investigation, even if it ends without charges, could tarnish their brand irreparably and scare off donors.

As the probe deepens, the $700,000 transfer stands as the flashpoint. Was it legitimate program support? Or a quiet way to funnel charitable dollars into personal ventures? The answer may take months to emerge — but for now, the Sussexes’ carefully built image of philanthropy faces its toughest test yet.

The truth is still unfolding. But the silence from Montecito speaks volumes.