Why7 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Jordan raises eyebrows

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle‘s recent humanitarian trip to Jordan, focusing on Palestinian children and refugee programs, sparked debate about the couple’s charitable impact.

With the restructuring of the Archewell Foundation into Archewell Philanthropies and reduction of staff, critics wonder whether their visits are more symbolic than operational.

While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met with aid recipients, visited camps and participated in community activities, the trip lacked a formal royal audience.

Prince Harry and Meghan’s humanitarian visit to Jordan sparks debate over impact of Archewell restructuring

Harry and Meghan’s humanitarian visit to Jordan has raised eyebrows, with some observers criticizing the royal couple over the state of their Archewell foundation, which has been “essentially shut down”.

The review follows reports that the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation has been restructured as Archewell Philanthropies and reduced much of its staff.

“They have no foundation [anymore]so what are they actually doing to help these people? They don’t have any more money to give… it’s the elephant in the room,” a close source said. Page sixhighlighting Archewell’s downsizing and transfer of its Parents Network initiative to the nonprofit ParentsTogether.

Harry and Meghan’s two-day visit to Jordan, made at the invitation of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, included meetings with Palestinian children evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment, visits to refugee camps and visits to local aid centers.

According to reports, the couple took a commercial flight and covered their own travel costs after informing authorities at Buckingham Palace.

Prince Harry and Meghan traveled to Jordan to attend Archewell-funded programs

The trip also gave Harry and Meghan the opportunity to see the programs supported by previous Archewell funding.

Last year, the foundation pledged $500,000 to help children affected by the conflict in Gaza and Ukraine.

Donations included $200,000 to the World Health Organization, $150,000 to Save the Children and $150,000 to the Center for Explosion Injury Studies at Imperial College London.

Despite significant moments captured during the visit, including Meghan speaking with a 14-year-old burns survivor and Harry appearing visibly emotional, critics say that due to the current state of Archewell, the couple has little to offer.

“They’re just honoring people with their presence,” a source connected to the foundation told the outlet.

The couple’s itinerary included meetings with Princess Basma bint Talal and her daughter Farah Daghistani, as well as visits to a youth center run by Questscope, where they interacted with local children and took part in a casual soccer match.

Observers noted that the tone and style of the trip echoed the humanitarian visits once associated with the late Diana, Princess of Wales, drawing inevitable comparisons.

The Sussexes’ trip to Jordan notably lacked an audience with members of the Jordanian royal family, raising eyebrows

The visit also raised eyebrows for what it lacked: formal meetings with senior members of the Jordanian royal family.

Local sources confirmed that no audiences were planned with King Abdullah II or Crown Prince Hussein, despite long-standing ties between the Jordanian and British royal families dating back to the friendship between the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Hussein.

Instead, King Abdullah focused on his talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and met separately with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

An insider told media the Sussexes may have been “disappointed” by the lack of a royal audience.

“This is a pseudo-royal visit, mimicking many of the things they or William and Kate would have done when they were in the cabinet, but it seems to be lacking in the ceremonial side,” the source said.

Prince Harry and Meghan’s visit to Jordan described as ‘extremely appreciated’ by Ambassador Philip Hall

Although they did not meet the King or Crown Prince, Harry and Meghan were warmly welcomed by British diplomatic staff upon their arrival.

Ambassador Philip Hall welcomed them to the Ambassador’s official residence, including a roundtable discussion with representatives from the United Nations and WHO.

Hall reportedly thanked the couple for their support, saying their presence and recognition of local efforts was “extremely appreciated.”

The royal couple’s trip to Jordan sparked criticism over diplomatic treatment and their role as private citizens

The involvement of British diplomats during Harry and Meghan’s trip did not go unnoticed and sparked strong criticism.

Former Conservative minister Tim Loughton questioned whether it was appropriate for the Sussexes, who no longer work in the royal family, to receive such formal treatment.

He noted that they “do not work in the royal family and do not represent the British government or UK PLC.”

Loughton called it “surprising” that such a reception was extended, given the couple’s decision to step back from royal duties and present themselves as private citizens.

He added that “giving them an official platform could be interpreted as them saying something which represents official UK policy.”