Prince Harry, rebel prince turned soldier, considered the world's most eligible bachelor.
Meghan Markle, American actress, with a passion for humanitarian and feminist causes are continuing their work of helping communities in need with their foundation, Archewell.
In January 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex began rolling out their nonprofit organization Archewell. At the time, the site featured a note from Harry and the California native explaining their goal for the organization, per Us Weekly.
“I am my mother’s son. And I am our son’s mother. Together we bring you Archewell. We believe in the best of humanity. Because we have seen the best of humanity. We have experienced compassion and kindness, from our mothers and strangers alike,” the message read. “In the face of fear, struggle and pain, it can be easy to lose sight of this. Together, we can choose courage, healing, and connection. Together, we can choose to put compassion in action. We invite you to join us. As we work to build a better world, one act of compassion at a time.”
The site described Archewell as a nonprofit that “drives systematic cultural change across all communities.”
In November 2020, Harry quietly volunteered for a veterans' charity in Compton, California, called the Walker Family Events Foundation. The organization, which helps veterans and their families facing homelessness, shared two photos of the royals helping to pack and deliver food to those in need.
"Today I had the honor of meeting and working alongside Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex," one photo caption read. "He joined us in volunteering at Compton VFW for the Operation Nourish program packing and distributing food to our #compton neighbors. He is very humble and kind."
In February 2021, Genesis Women's Shelter & Support in Dallas received a donation from Harry and Meghan through the Archewell Foundation. The donation came after Texas was hit with icy and snowy weather that devastated some areas, including Dallas.
"Today, we learned that the news of the damages we incurred from Winter Storm Uri reached Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex," the shelter tweeted. "Through their nonprofit Archewell Foundation, they are supporting us by replacing the roof at our transitional housing apartment complex and also helping us meet our immediate needs. Thank you, Archewell Foundation."
Archewell is also partnering with First Book nonprofit to distribute the book around the country.
Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced a new partnership with The VING Project, a national movement that is helping create the next generation of philanthropists.
Together, the organizations will invest $1 million to a national giving movement inviting individuals between the ages of 14 and 18 to "nominate a woman who has inspired them and defied life's hardships," per an Archewell statement. If chosen, the teens will be able to give a $1,000 grant to their nominees to help make a difference in their lives.
The collaboration was inspired by Meghan's Spotify podcast, Archetypes, in which she discusses issues of gender stereotypes and racial profiling, among other things. In recent episodes, she has invited guests Serena Williams, Mindy Kaling, Mariah Carey, Margaret Cho, and Lisa Ling to join in conversations with her, according to Harper’s Bazaar.
"Two things that bring me great joy are supporting women, and the spirit of giving," Meghan said in a statement. "With the return of Archetypes, Archewell Foundation and VING have come together to create the perfect combination of these loves. By donating $1 million in grants to women in need, our hope is not to only provide support where it may be felt deepest, but also empower young adults to embrace the gift of giving at an early age. I'm very proud of this partnership and the good we hope to see come from it."
Sources: Us Weekly, Harper’s Bazaar