Fundraising or monetizing fame?

That’s the question swirling around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after reports emerged that the couple are quietly offering ultra-exclusive private dinners for as much as $100,000 per guest.

According to sources, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are exploring a model that effectively charges elite donors for direct, in-person access—prompting critics to ask whether former working royals are now “auctioning themselves off” to the highest bidder.

The $100,000 Dinner Dates

Insiders say the couple recently auctioned access to themselves through CharityBuzz, a high-end fundraising platform known for pairing wealthy bidders with celebrities and exclusive experiences.

Tickets to attend a private dinner with Harry and Meghan reportedly reached six figures per plate, with proceeds linked to their charity, Archewell.

A spokesperson for Archewell confirmed the partnership, stating:

“We have partnered with numerous fundraising partners over the years and CharityBuzz has been one of them.”

Sources add that the auction supported a fundraising dinner connected to World Mental Health Day, marking a shift from Archewell’s previous reliance on anonymous wealthy donors.

Breaking a Royal Taboo

Within royal tradition, paying for personal access to members of the British royal family is considered strictly taboo.

But Harry and Meghan have not been working royals since their dramatic 2020 exit—often referred to as “Megxit”—which freed them from royal protocol but also stripped them of institutional protections.

Crucially, the dinner access was not publicly advertised, leading to speculation it was offered privately to so-called “high rollers” accustomed to paying for elite celebrity encounters.

One source bluntly summarized the appeal:

“People will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to have dinner with them.”

A Launchpad for Bigger Monetization?

According to insiders, this auction may only be the beginning.

“This is essentially a jumping-off point,” a source familiar with the couple’s plans said.
“They can frame the dinners as charity, business, or networking—but the reality is they’re selling access. That’s something past royals would never have entertained.”

Future dinners are reportedly planned to be invitation-only, targeted at “top-tier players,” and held discreetly away from public scrutiny.

CharityBuzz’s Celebrity Playbook

CharityBuzz is no stranger to controversy—or scale. Over two decades, the platform has raised more than $650 million for charitable causes, hosting high-profile experiences with figures like George Clooney, Beyoncé, and Paul McCartney.

Current listings include:

• $10,000 for dinner with actor Bob Odenkirk

• $50,000 for platinum Grammy Awards tickets

Harry and Meghan’s reported $100,000 price point places them among the platform’s most expensive offerings.

Backlash and Royal Fallout

Critics have slammed the move as a “cynical celebrity cash grab,” arguing it undermines the dignity traditionally associated with royal status—even former royal status.

Supporters counter that the strategy could bring new donors into Archewell’s orbit.

But the optics may carry personal consequences.

One insider warned:

“This won’t help Harry rebuild trust with his father, King Charles III. If anything, it reinforces concerns about whether he can be trusted not to commercialize royal connections.”

The dinners, sources say, will be discreet—but the criticism will not be.

The Bigger Question

At its core, this controversy isn’t about charity dinners.

It’s about the blurred line between philanthropy and personal branding—and whether former royals can ever truly separate public service from profit.

For Harry and Meghan, the gamble is clear:
cash flow and independence now—at the cost of further distancing themselves from the institution they once represented.