Duke and Duchess of Sussex Establish Royal Foundation

In July 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, formally established their own charitable organization, Sussex Royal The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The registration marked the final structural step in separating their philanthropic work from that of Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with whom they had previously shared the Royal Foundation. The new entity was officially registered with the UK’s Charity Commission, creating a distinct platform for Prince Harry and Meghan to manage their charitable initiatives independently. Prior to this, the couples had operated under the Royal Foundation, which supported a range of causes including mental health, conservation, and community development. The decision to create a separate foundation followed organizational changes announced earlier in 2019, reflecting a division of responsibilities and focus areas between the two households. The Sussex Royal Foundation was intended to oversee the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s philanthropic activities, including projects related to mental health, youth empowerment, and global development. It also aligned with the launch of their “Sussex Royal” branding, which was used across their official communications and digital platforms at the time. The registration occurred during a period of evolving roles within the royal family, as both couples began to pursue distinct charitable priorities. The Sussex Royal Foundation later became part of a broader transition in 2020, when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their roles as senior working royals and restructured their activities under new organizations. Why This Moment Matters The registration formalized the separation of charitable operations between the Sussexes and the Cambridges, establishing an independent framework for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s philanthropic work.