Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were named ‘Humanitarians of the Year’ at a glitzy New York gala last night – immediately after King Charles and Prince William put on a united front in London
The Duchess of Sussex used her acceptance speech to voice fears about Archie and Lilibet growing up in a digital age – hours after the Princess of Wales visited a children’s charity and warned that excessive screen time can harm family life.
Meghan was also praised as ‘a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist’ as she received the award. Harry’s work with mental health companies and his controversial 2021 memoir Spare were listed among his achievements.
The competing events, 3,500 miles apart, could stir up trouble and pour cold water on hopes of peace talks between the warring Windsors.
The Daily Mail revealed yesterday that a friend of the Sussexes has predicted: ‘Meghan will return to Britain before the year is out’ and could come bearing ‘humble pie’.
The couple are apparently planning their reconciliation with the royal family in a secret plot dubbed: ‘Project Thaw’. There have been claims that William could even meet Harry – but he is not willing to do so with Meghan present.
This morning a video showing the future king breaking down in tears also emerged. William couldn’t hide his anguish as he discussed the devastating impact of suicide with a mother whose husband took his own life just five days after their one-year-old son died.
The King and his eldest son were together at the Natural History Museum in London last night for a rare joint public engagement, brought together by their shared passion for the environment. A video showed them warming greeting each other with William warmly putting his hand on Charles’ shoulder.
But a matter of hours later Harry and Meghan made their own rare joint appearance on the red carpet on Thursday night after they were named ‘Humanitarians of the Year’ at the Project Healthy Minds gala in New York.
The couple were very tactile on the red carpet and speaking on stage as she accepted the award, Meghan said: ‘Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming.
‘Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers. That hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible.’
Project Healthy Minds’ ‘Humanitarians of the Year’ award has only been won once before, last year. Jeff Yabuki and his wife Gail got the gong for their commitment to mental health work after Jeff’s brother took his own life in 2017.
Meghan was joined on stage by Harry, who also shared words of wisdom about the dangers of technological advancements.
He said: ‘This is a pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in a digital age.’
The pair were met with applause as they wrapped up their remarks – but royal watchers were struck by how similar their message was to the Princess of Wales’ from earlier today.
Last night Meghan and Harry were celebrated for their work in the online sphere, beginning in 2020 when they consulted with Stanford University experts tracking social media’s impact on young people.
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Congrats to them
All the best