A substantial contribution of $250,000 was reportedly made by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to a women’s wellness center established by Ashley Biden, the daughter of President Joe Biden.
According to tax records from the Archewell Foundation, the organization confirmed this donation for the previous year. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s huge support for the Women’s Wellness (Spa)ce, located in north Philadelphia, was highlighted in the Archewell Foundation’s Impact Report for the 2023-2024 year, released on December 2, as reported by People.
The Impact Report states that the center is dedicated to providing a safe environment and community for women affected by trauma, offering resources like nutritious food, exercise, meditation, and therapeutic interventions.
Inspiration for the center stemmed from Ashley’s experiences within the criminal justice system and her involvement with Mural Arts’ Women’s Reentry Program, which focuses on helping formerly incarcerated women. The facility is characterized on its linktr.ee page as “a mindfully designed drop-in wellness center for women in Philadelphia, PA.”
The report indicates that the royal couple’s foundation is a founding partner of the center established by Ashley, a social worker. Furthermore, the wellness center’s mission aligns closely with the Archewell Foundation’s commitment to mental health support.
Ashley, now 43, discussed her aspiration to create a wellness center for women during a March interview with Elle. She reflected, “I was able to get great treatment, and so I’ve been able to take some of those things that I’ve learned in therapy and use them as well.
EMDR [eye movement desensitization and reprocessing] did wonders for me when it came to my brother’s death,” referring to the loss of her brother Beau Biden, who succumbed to brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 46.
She further elaborated on her vision for the space, emphasizing the importance of accessibility: “If you have money and something happens, you can go to the best therapist you can find.
That doesn’t happen for people who are living in poverty.” Ashley envisioned a drop-in center where women could enjoy nutritious meals, participate in boxing sessions, use treadmills, listen to guided meditation, access various therapies, including EMDR, and benefit from infrared saunas to address PTSD.
Markle and Harry’s generous donation was featured in the section of the report dedicated to “Uplifting Women and Girls.” Their philanthropic efforts also included initiatives focused on community wellbeing, promoting information integrity, and fostering collaborative impact, as reported by People.
“In a world that often feels fractured, there are moments that cut through the noise, reminding us of our strength when we stand together: resilience, courage, and a commitment to something greater than ourselves,” said James Holt and Shauna Nep, co-executive directors of the Archewell Foundation, in the report.
Their statement went on to highlight, “This year, at The Archewell Foundation, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of human connection — of people reaching across divides to uplift one another.”
For years, the “Suits” alum, 43, has demonstrated a commitment to empowering women through her foundation. Last year, she became involved with Clevr Blends, a female-founded coffee company, and visited the Justice for Girls nonprofit in Vancouver in November.