When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals in 2020, no one knew what the fate would be of the foundation the Sussexes had worked on with the Cambridges for years. That’s because the charity was promoted so well by the couples who became known as the Fab Four. Now though, Prince William and Kate Middleton have learned that the foundation has become even more popular sans Meghan and Harry.
Here’s just how much the funds have “skyrocketed” now that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no longer a part of it.
William and Kate’s foundation received a surge in funds
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been seen out and about at several events lately including in Glasgow for the COP26 summit on climate change. While they’ve been campaigning for causes close to their hearts, their foundation got a boost in funds. The Daily Mail noted that funds for William and Kate’s charity skyrocketed bringing in £5.1million ($6.9 million) more in the year after Meghan and Harry left.
“[It is] staggering given that other major British charities faced significant downturns in their fundraising during the pandemic,” commentator Daniela Esler said (per Express).
The foundation was initially set up in 2009 before William and Kate were married and at that time was focused on causes important to the princes such as the armed forces, conservation, and mental health. Kate joined the foundation in 2011 followed by Meghan in 2018.
After the Sussexes’ departure, the charity was renamed The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The mission statement on the foundation’s website now reads: “Driven by a desire to make a difference together, The Royal Foundation is the primary philanthropic and charitable vehicle for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Our [programs] revolve around main themes of work; conservation, early years, mental health, and emergency responders. In addition to these [programs], as the country responds to COVID-19, The Royal Foundation is working to support frontline workers and ensure that those in need are able to access mental health support.”
The Cambridges have been praised for how they have supported the queen and ‘excelled in their roles’
While Prince Harry and Meghan hit out at the royal family from afar, Kate and William have been supported the monarchy and stepped up a lot over the last few years.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams spoke about how the Cambridges especially Kate, have “excelled” in their roles.
“Kate has been brilliant over the last few years,” he told Express. “She’s become incredibly confident in how she speaks and she is integral to the family. Indeed, she and William are so good at not just the formal conversations but the informal ones too. Ranging from William’s Earhtshot prize to their charitable organization, the pair have been really good. They have excelled.”
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