Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation Declared 'Delinquent,' Ordered to Stop Soliciting or Spending

A source tells PEOPLE the Archewell Foundation expects the issue to be resolved and reflected in records within a week

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been ordered to halt soliciting or spending for their Archewell Foundation after being declared delinquent by the California Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.

A source close to Archewell tells PEOPLE that the foundation's tax filings were completed in compliance with all regulations and were widely reported in December. The California state filing, renewal and necessary payment were sent via tracked mail to the Attorney General's Office and were received on schedule. Any claims suggesting otherwise are inaccurate.

On May 3, the Attorney General of California Rob Bonta issued a delinquency notice on behalf of the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers to the Archewell Foundation. According to the document obtained by PEOPLE, the organization is "listed as delinquent with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers for failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees."

"An organization that is listed as delinquent is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds," the letter outlines. "The organization may also be subject to penalties and its registration may be suspended or revoked by the Registry. Once you submit the delinquent record(s), you will be notified of the amount of any late fees that are owed."

The New York Post was the first to report the news.

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According to a source close to the foundation, the organization filed on time, but a check that was sent was never received. The foundation only became aware of this when the delinquency notice was issued. A new check has been sent by mail, and the Archewell Foundation expects the issue to be quickly resolved and reflected in the records within the next seven business days.

The May 3 letter from the Attorney General via the California Department of Justice lists the foundation's address as being registered in Beverly Hills, California, which is about two hours from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's home in Montecito. 

The Archewell Foundation is the non-profit established by Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, following their step back from their royal roles in 2020.

"Our mission is simple: show up, do good. We meet the moment by showing up, taking action and using our unparalleled spotlight to uplift and unite communities — local and global — through acts of service and compassion," its website says.

A summary included in the Archewell Foundation's initial registration form filed in California in 2021 goes further.

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"Archewell Foundation is an impact-driven nonprofit created by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell Foundation's core purpose is to uplift and unite communities — local and global, online and offline — one act of compassion at a time. Archewell Foundation believes that compassion is the defining cultural force of the 21st century and, through its work, Archewell Foundation supports a growing community of partner organizations fueling systematic cultural change. Archewell Foundation listens to people and their communities, helps them to tell their stories, puts real action behind its words, and spotlights a new generation of leadership," it says.

Prince Harry and Meghan previously said Archewell was inspired by "arche," the Greek word meaning "source of action", and predates the name of their 5-year-old son, Prince Archie. It also lends its name to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's production company, Archewell Productions.

The Archewell Foundation shared two updates during Harry and Meghan's trip to Nigeria from May 10 to May 12. The visit was significant as their first international tour since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, and the couple traveled at the invitation of the Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff, the country's highest-ranking military official.

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At the Lightway Academy in Abuja, on May 10, it was announced that the Archewell Foundation is expanding its partnership with the GEANCO Foundation. The initiative will now include mental health resources and training for young people, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex both spoke at the inaugural mental health summit the partnership made possible.

While spending time with Giants of Africa at Ilupeju Senior Grammar School in Lagos on May 12, it was announced that the Archewell Foundation has made it possible for the youth-focused sports charity to expand programming to include a new adaptive court and accessible sport in Abuja, a statement said.

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