The Governor of California has defended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by branding the "delinquency" document "wildly over-hyped".
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's charity Archewell is no longer listed as "delinquent" after what was described as a "wildly over-hyped" paperwork issue by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Harry and Meghan were travelling back from a successful visit to Nigeria when news broke that their Archewell Foundation had been sent a letter by California's attorney general suggesting there were unpaid fees or missing forms.
The issue was potentially serious as a "delinquent" status prevents fundraising and in the longer term can lead to a tax-exempt status being revoked.
Gavin Newsom has been the Governor of California since 2019
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However, GB News understands the charity submitted the relevant paperwork and paid the relevant fees on time last year.
Gavin Newsom was emphatic in his defence of the couple at a press conference when he said it was an "unbelievable" amount of attention that has been placed on the Archewell Foundation.
The Governor said: "I'm here at a behavioural health site, a mental health site, Archewell Foundation, run by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
"They do extraordinary work, particularly women and girls, but notably around mental health.
Gavin Newsom came to Meghan and Harry's defence
Reuters
"I just want folks to know, not only are they in compliance, it was a technical paperwork issue that was wildly over-hyped.
"With respect, I hope people who ran those headlines run this headline—that it was a very typical, technical issue around paperwork that persists for so many others as well.
"And they're in full compliance and they're a celebrated organisation that does great work in the state of California."
An Archewell spokesperson said: "We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's charity was initially declared 'delinquent'
Reuters
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Harry and Meghan live in Montecito, California in the USGetty"Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRS's processes and procedures.
"Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing."
Newsom spoke at the behavioural health treatment centre to announce the acceleration of funding to transform the statewide behavioural health system.
