Princess Kate and Meghan Markle align thousands of miles apart

Meghan Markle and Princess Kate both attended events for World Mental Health Day

Reuters / PA
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 11/10/2023

- 10:00

The Duchess of Sussex found common ground with the Princess of Wales as they carried out engagements 3,000 miles apart

Meghan Markle and Princess Kate both used their public platforms on World Mental Health Day to make a rallying call for action.

The Princess of Wales stepped out in Birmingham with her husband, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to New York City to discuss how social media can be improved to help protect young children.


Harry and Meghan shared a stage with parents whose children had taken their own lives in Manhattan.

Many of these grieving parents had worked with the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation over the past year.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in NYC

Reuters

Prince Harry, 39, had previously criticised social media companies for failing to create safer spaces for children and claimed they need to work harder to make this a reality.

The duke said: “There’s a reason no one else is working in this space and that’s because of the size and power of these companies.

"I think people are scared and feel helpless.

“There’s nothing wrong with these kids… It’s the world that we’re allowing to create around them.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry discussed harmful effects of social media

Reuters

Princess Kate and Prince William

Princess Kate and Prince William in Birmingham

PA

Prince Harry claimed he and Meghan have worked with families who've “suffered the greatest loss”.

This was because the duke and duchess realised how many grieving families needed help across the US.

The 39-year-old said the goal was to allow them to “heal together, to grieve together but also to focus on a solution so that no other family anywhere has to go through what they’ve been through”.

Meanwhile, Princess Kate and Prince William addressed a youth mental health forum in Birmingham, warning that “simply talking about our mental health is just not enough”.

Princess Kate and Prince William

Princess Kate and Prince William addressed that we need “positive, preventative solutions”

PA

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Princess Kate

Princess Kate gave a powerful speech

PA

The Princess of Wales acknowledged that more conversations are taking place, however, it's time for “positive, preventative solutions”. The UK forum was organised together with Radio 1.

Called "Exploring our Emotional Worlds", the forum brought together 100 young delegates nominated by leading mental health charities.

Kate and William said they were there to “listen and learn” as attendees opened up about their mental health.

This outing was the couple's biggest intervention in mental health since launching the Heads Together campaign in 2016, alongside Prince Harry at the time.

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