Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have made donations of an undisclosed amount to charities to support the people of Ukraine as they paid tribute to Invictus Games athlete killed in action in Ukraine.
In past weeks as Ukrainians fought tooth and nail to defend their cities against Russian aggression, the Duke, 37, and Duchess of Sussex, 40, accepted awards at Hollywood events and announced their new podcast series would launch this summer.
It was revealed this week that former Invictus Games triallist Serhii Karaivan died in the conflict on Sunday, with Prince Harry paying tribute to the athlete in a statement online today.
Meanwhile the couple also announced they made donations to several charities including The Halo Trust, the humanitarian landmine clearance charity, and HIAS, an international Jewish humanitarian organization that supports refugees.
Meghan and Harry went on to reveal they had donated to ‘a coalition of domestic media such as Kyiv Independent, supported through Are We Europe.’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have made donations of an undisclosed amount to charities to support the people of Ukraine as they paid tribute to Invictus Games star killed in action in Ukraine
Meghan Markle’s friend and Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie shared a tweet online about the donations from the couple
In a statement posted to their website, the couple wrote: ‘Finally, our hearts are heavy as we acknowledge the recent loss of a member of our veteran community in Ukraine, who was defending his country from attack.
‘We also pay tribute to the brave men and women from our global veteran community, past and present, who have long protected their countries and families with unparalleled strength and determination.
‘We are continuing to work and speak with the Invictus Games Foundation daily to help however we can.
‘All of us at Archewell have been inspired by the work these organizations have taken on.’
Tpday the couple announced they made donations to several charities including The Halo Trust, the humanitarian landmine clearance charity, and HIAS, an international Jewish humanitarian organization that supports refugees (pictured Kyiv)
The pair previously paid tribute to the people of Ukraine as they accepted the President’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards last month.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared on stage in LA’s Pasadena Civic Auditorium in February to accept the award in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.
The pair accepted the award for their work helping a Texas women’s shelter, promoting vaccine equity and creating community relief centers, Harry first wanted to address the conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion this week.
‘We would like to acknowledge the people of Ukraine, who urgently need our continued support as a global community,’ he told a room filled with glammed-up Hollywood stars and dignitaries.
It was revealed yesterday that former Invictus Games triallist Serhii Karaivan died in the conflict on Sunday, with Harry going on to pay tribute to the athlete in a statement online
His speech in front of Hollywood A-listers, such as Daniel Kaluuya and Jennifer Hudson, took place as Ukrainians in Kyiv came under siege for a third successive night and Russian troops rolled into the second city of Kharkiv.
Throughout the pandemic, the couple’s Archewell Foundation has taken on many endeavors, including the promotion of COVID-19 vaccine equity and support for the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice.
Yet they had spent more money on legal fees for their charities than they actually raised in 2020, according to their legal findings.
Archewell reported to the IRS in December that it raised less than $50,000 in 2020 — only opening a bank account last January.
And documents for their UK charity Sussex Royal, which changed its name to MWX Foundation in 2020 and is currently being dissolved, show that between June 2020 and June 2021 spent more than $55,000 on legal fees including attorneys’ costs for wrapping up the nonprofit.
Meghan and Harry’s charities have been mired in controversy since their launch, revealing family divisions and were hit with a UK watchdog investigation and criticism over their use of opaque and secretive Delaware corporations.
UK Companies House filings show the defunct British charity had more than $380,000 in its accounts in 2020, and spent at least $55,600 on attorneys, including about $35,000 to Harbottle & Lewis and $20,600 to an unidentified law firm.
The Duke and Duchess had previously written on the website of their Archewell charity: ‘Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same.’
But the couple, who live in an $14.7 million mansion in Montecito, California, some 6,000 miles away from Kyiv, were criticized for a ‘breathtakingly arrogant’ statement and accused of ‘once again making this about them.’
If the Sussexes raised more than $50,000 in 2021, they will be required to file more detailed accounts next December. Pictured: IRS Form 990 e-Postcard for Archewell
One Twitter user said: ‘Phew, that’s that sorted then. Putin will immediately recall the military and send them back to their garrisons. Thanks for that Harry and Meg, you saved us all. We owe you one!’
Another wrote: ‘What a joke. Are they speaking for the UK or American? Or just jumping on for attention. Harry and Meghan have spoken. Putin Russian president is now scared LOL.’
And one social media user said: ‘Don’t tell me they actually care about someone else beside themselves, once again making this about them again, you got to laugh.’
Their latest news comes hours after Meghan announced her Spotify podcast will finally debut this summer – 18 months after she inked a $25m deal – after unsuccessfully calling for a crackdown on Joe Rogan.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex condemned the Russian invasion, in a statement published on their Archewell website
Many went on social media to criticize Harry and Meghan’s statement on the Ukraine, saying they were making a serious issue all about them
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell foundation shared the news in a statement Thursday. It came two months after they called on their new employer to crack down on COVID vaccine lies peddled by Joe Rogan, which only resulted in a slap-on-the-wrist for the hugely popular libertarian podcaster.
Meghan’s statement said: ‘As we all continue to tackle the misinformation era, Archewell Audio has found it important to work with our partners at Spotify to ensure that the digital technologies so many of us use every day are rooted in strong principles of trust and safety,’ according to the Archewell statement.
‘We are encouraged by ongoing conversations we’ve had with Spotify on this shared goal and have been working closely with their team—as well as their senior leadership—towards policies, practices, and strategies meant to raise creator awareness, minimize the spread of misinformation, and support transparency.’
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