Harry and Meghan Auction Access to Themselves for Archewell Fundraiser

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have quietly begun auctioning access to themselves to the highest bidder as a fundraising strategy for Archewell. Tickets to attend a dinner with the couple are reported to fetch around $100,000 per plate, with bids being handled through CharityBuzz, the platform the couple have used to support Archewell since its inception. The auction has not been publicly advertised on the charity’s site and appears to have been offered privately to high-profile donors rather than as an openly listed item.

A spokesman for Archewell confirmed the charity’s ongoing partnerships, adding that CharityBuzz has been one of the partners it has used over the years. A source described the appeal of such experiences, saying, "People will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to have dinner with them." The disclosure comes as Archewell’s fundraising network, which has historically depended on anonymous donors, has become a focal point of attention for the foundation’s shifting approach to grantmaking and outreach.

CharityBuzz has raised about $650 million for charity since its founding two decades ago and has run events with a roster of famous names, including George Clooney, Beyoncé and Sir Paul McCartney. Harry and Meghan founded Archewell in 2020, and the foundation reported charitable outlays that included more than £1 million in grants last year. The charity’s funding and grant activity have drawn renewed scrutiny as sources say Archewell is undergoing changes in its staffing and delivery models. A spokesman for Archewell told media outlets that, "Yes, we are making some Archewell changes, and we'll be sharing exciting developments regarding how we will deliver our philanthropic work moving forward, when we choose to. We look forward to communicating more in due course."

In terms of the fundraising ecosystem, CharityBuzz’s catalog also features items such as a dinner with actor Bob Odenkirk for $10,000 and platinum Grammy tickets listed for about $50,000, illustrating a broader appetite for celebrity-backed experiences in philanthropy. The broader marketplace and the Sussexes’ participation in it sit against a backdrop of Archewell’s evolving governance and resource allocation.

Beyond the charity circle, culture and entertainment headlines continued to roll in. In Los Angeles, Timothee Chalamet and girlfriend Kylie Jenner stepped out in coordinated orange ensembles at the premiere of Marty Supreme, a film about the flamboyant 1970s ping-pong legend Marty Reisman. The film, directed by Josh Safdie, leans into Reisman’s sensational persona and his book, The Money Player: The Confessions Of America's Greatest Table Tennis Champion And Hustler, which served as a catalyst for the project. Reisman was known for showmanship and stunts like splitting a cigarette with a ping-pong ball and performing feats while blindfolded. The film’s approach includes altering certain details, such as changing the player’s last name for copyright reasons, a move that also mirrors industry practices in other adaptations where rights and permissions are carefully navigated.

In related industry chatter, A24 has pursued similar liberties with source material, such as the Wicked property, which has rights to the novel and the stage adaptation but not the 1939 MGM film, explaining why some iconic elements—like Dorothy’s ruby slippers—appear differently on screen. Tom Hiddleston, meanwhile, carries a steady press push for the second series of The Night Manager, with cast and crew emphasizing that the star remains composed during demanding shoots. Director Georgi Banks-Davies noted that Hiddleston did not sweat extensively during shoots in hot locations like Colombia and Spain, except when behind the wheel of a car for a scene that involved a high-stress driving sequence.

Stellan Skarsgård offered a playful anecdote about collaboration with director Joachim Trier on Sentimental Value, saying the two were like "two dogs sniffing each other" as they navigated trust and creative decisions. The film is Norway’s submission for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, underscoring how European cinema continues to rely on close director-actor collaborations.

In other entertainment and media news, Davina McCall’s former husband, Matthew Robertson, spoke candidly about his personal struggles in the wake of their split. Robertson, who previously ran an adventure travel business, discussed a period of mental health crisis and a crisis of confidence that culminated in a near-tragic moment. He has since launched Momentum Men, an organization focused on outdoor experiences and mental-health support for men, though records show Momentum Adventure faced financial difficulties and was dissolved in 2021 with debts of about £408,500. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the pressures of public life and the responsibility of figures who carry high visibility to seek help and report on their mental health journeys.

Lily Allen also weighed in on the pressures of touring and performing, describing the adrenaline of live shows and the challenge of performing without alcohol or other substances. She explained that staying sober on stage presents a new set of rhythms and routines she must establish to connect with audiences and manage performance nerves as she promotes her forthcoming West End Girl tour. Allen’s candid remarks add to a growing cadre of artists who openly discuss the role of substances in performance and their efforts to build healthier, sustainable routines.

In acting circles, Jacobi Jupe, the 12-year-old actor acclaimed for his performance in Hamnet, has joined the cast of a new Exorcist installment set to film in New York next year. Jupe has the backing of a lineage in the British acting world, with his mother Katy Cavanagh known for work on Coronation Street and relatives who have pursued high-profile screen careers. Jupe’s entry into the Exorcist franchise comes as filmmakers continually cultivate young talent alongside established stars such as Scarlett Johansson, signaling ongoing cross-generational casting in high-profile genre projects.