Harry and Meghan offer surprise donation to Texas women’s shelter through Archewell Foundation

The couple helped the shelter replace its roof

(AFP via Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have supported a woman’s shelter in Texas through their Archewell Foundation.

On Sunday, the Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support centre thanked the couple on Twitter for their support, revealing they had helped them to replace their roof.

The organisation, which is based in Dallas, suffered major damage to its facilities in the recent winter storms in the area.

The Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support centre tweeted: “Today, the news of our damages reached Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex!”

“Through their nonprofit, they are supporting us by replacing the roof at our transitional housing facility and helping us meet our immediate needs. THANK YOU, ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION!”

Genesis serves roughly 3,700 women and children each year, but was forced to close its doors for the first time in 40 years in the wake of the storms. It reopened on 20 February.

“Today, we were notified that through the actions of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s nonprofit, Archewell Foundation, Prince Harry and Meghan will make a donation to help us get back on our feet,” commented Jan Langbein, CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support.

“Not only will this gift provide for our critical needs, it shines an international spotlight on violence against women and children, letting survivors know that they are not alone.”

The news comes days after it was revealed that Harry and Meghan would not be returning to their roles in the royal family – after first stepping down for a transition period in March 2020, and moving to California.

On Friday 19 February Buckingham Palace released a statement revealing that in light of this, the couple would not be permitted to continue the various patronages they had acquired as part of their roles.

A representative for Harry and Meghan also issued a statement, suggesting they would be continuing doing charitable work in the UK. 

A spokesperson said: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”