Hello, dearest readers, it is good to be back!
Before we delve into an abundance of news, updates and appearances, my sincerest apologies for my lengthy absence from the blog. I've been simultaneously dealing with health issues (very much on the mend now, a heartfelt thank you all for your very kind wishes) and multiple issues with the Blogger platform. The latter may lead to some changes moving forward, but for now, I'm very happy to be back as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex kick off a three-day visit to Canada, marking 'One Year To Go' until the Invictus 2025.
It seems quite fitting for Harry and Meghan to spend Valentine's Day in Canada.
They enjoyed so many joyful times there during the first months of their relationship when Meghan was filming Suits. It's always lovely to return to a place filled with happy memories.
The Canadian thread not only runs through their relationship; it also has close ties to Invictus. In 2017, Harry and Meghan made their first official public appearance at the games in Toronto. I think Harry's incredibly excited to bring the games back and hugely excited for the potential of expanding possibilities in Vancouver and Whistler.
This week's training camp was planned with the goal of supporting participating nations to build year-round adaptive sports programmes.
'Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will host more than 500 competitors from 23 nations and is scheduled to take place Feb. 8 to 16, 2025.
It will be the first Invictus Games to feature winter sports, including alpine skiing, nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling, but will also host indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball as it has previously.
Next year's event will mark the seventh Invictus Games, which were created in 2014 after Prince Harry returned from his deployment in Afghanistan'.
Harry was eager to get straight into the spirit on a sit-ski.
Before he set off, Meghan took the opportunity to capture the moment. Hello! reports Meghan told those present she wanted to take a photo for Archie and Lili.
How did the Prince do? The Province reports: "The prince donned a helmet and successfully snaked his way down the bunny hill on a sit-ski, which allows athletes to ski in a bucket seat suspended above one or more blades."
People reports: 'The couple's presence on the slopes caught the attention of a family skiing nearby. "It's Harry and Meghan, Dad!" a teen boy yelled when he realized who was there.'
More from People's insightful story:
'Ivan Morera, who represented Team U.S.A. in Germany last year and will compete again in Canada, tells PEOPLE that he's learning how to ski and snowboard.
"I love to challenge myself just to build resilience and show that I'm still capable of being physically active even with my adaptation. I've had a great time here," he says.
Morera, who is a single-arm amputee following an incident while he was serving Afghanistan, says, "I look forward to meeting Prince Harry, just shaking his hand and, 'Hey, thank you for your service and thank you for this opportunity."
"I have a lot of respect for Prince Harry," he says. "I believe he understands the military personnel very well because of his experience in Afghanistan and his willingness to put his life on the line for his country. He has shown that to us by creating the Invictus Games, taking inspiration from the Warrior Games in the United States and creating an international competition."
The couple departing to cheers.
Harry and Meghan leaving Whistler BC #InvictusGames2025 #IG25OneYearToGo pic.twitter.com/iZLwFMuM85
— Ange Andrews (@andrews_ange) February 15, 2024
The Duchess wrapped up in winter whites and neutrals. Below, Meghan sporting a past season Burberry beanie.
Meghan was cosy in Calvin Klein's Quilted Puffer Jacket. The piece was on sale for $118 before selling out (with thanks to Pearl).
Meghan's boots are the Sorel 'Joan of Arctic' style. They are available in several colours for $156 at Zappos and the official Sorel website.
With thanks to Meghan's Closet Chronicles, Meghan's sunglasses are the Blenders Eyewear Grove Polarized Sunglasses in 'midnight drama'. They are available £59 here.
The Duchess teamed the look with her white Frame jeans (another Invictus Germany throwback).
After the event wrapped up, the Duke and Duchess shared the following statement on Sussex.com, "Today, Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kicked off Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 One Year to Go events at the top of Whistler Blackcomb. The couple met with competitors from around the world who are part of the Participating Nation’s Training Camp, where they are learning adaptive winter sports. Alongside competitors, The Duke tried adaptive sit ski for the first time. The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to spending an incredible couple of days in British Columbia as they prepare for the first ever Winter hybrid games. The couple would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the event organizers, sponsors, the Invictus Games Foundation, True Patriot Love, volunteers, and the Four Host First Nations for welcoming the Games onto their land."
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I also want to catch up on several of the most recent pertinent news updates beginning with news Meghan plans to continue in the podcasting space and has signed a new deal with Lemonada Media - "a podcast network that shared the unfiltered version of the human experience." In short, their ethos is to "make life suck less, one podcast at a time" :) I wasn't familiar with the company, but like many of you, have seen multiple recommendations for Julia Louis- Dreyfus's 'Wiser Than Me' series. The announcement was accompanied by a beautiful new portrait of Meghan taken by their close friend, the incredibly talented Misan Harriman.
A statement on Harry and Meghan's new website Sussex.com read:
'As part of their new deal, Lemonada will distribute the first season of the award-winning and critically acclaimed “Archetypes” for all audio platforms and also develop a new original podcast series as yet untitled hosted by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.
“Archetypes,” a record-breaking podcast exploring the labels that try to hold women back, will be available across all podcast platforms for the first time — with Lemonada overseeing ad sales and distribution. “Archetypes” has seen over 10 million downloads, averaging nearly a million listens per episode and debuted as Spotify’s No.1 podcast in 47 countries around the world.
Listeners tuned in as: Mariah Carey spoke about the definition of being a diva; Mindy Kaling celebrated the choice to be single; Pamela Adlon lifted the lid on the pressure to be a wife and a mother; Issa Rae and Ziwe Fumudoh unpacked the loaded misconception that often comes with being a woman of color; and Jameela Jamil and Shohreh Agdashloo spoke about the courage that it takes to step up and speak out, even when it puts everything on the line.
These singular discussions – with notable women, friends, comedians, activists, historians, and experts – transcend individual episodes for a dynamic cultural conversation about how women can reject, reclaim, and redefine these archetypes, on their own terms.
“We are beyond honored that Meghan has trusted us to help democratize access to ‘Archetypes,’ and that so many more people around the world will have access to the series soon. Meghan’s talent as host, creator and conversationalist is unparalleled and we are thrilled to co-create a new series with her that fosters her approach to creating art that matters,” shares Lemonada’s CEO and co-founder, Jessica Cordova Kramer. “As we’ve started development with The Duchess of Sussex, we are blown away by her collaborative spirit and clear vision, along with her deep desire to build compassion and community through this work. The Lemonada team felt immediate kinship with Meghan and the Archewell Productions team, and we are delighted to be working together,” adds Lemonada’s Chief Creative Officer and co-founder, Stephanie Wittels Wachs.
“I’m proud to now be able to share that I am joining the brilliant team at Lemonada to continue my love of podcasting,” said Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. “Being able to support a female founded company with a roster of thought provoking and highly entertaining podcasts is a fantastic way to kick off 2024. Our plan to re-release Archetypes so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast are well in the works. I’m so eager to be able to share it soon, and am overjoyed to be joining the Lemonada family.”
Variety adds more on the female-led platform:
“Archetypes” joins Lemonada’s lineup of podcasts including “Wiser Than Me With Julia Louis-Dreyfus,” which was named the 2023 show of the year by Apple; Jennette McCurdy’s “Hard Feelings”; “Funny Cuz It’s True With Elyse Myers”; Gracie award-winners “Last Day” and “Believe Her”; “Choice Words With Samantha Bee”; “In the Bubble With Andy Slavitt”; “Add to Cart With Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak”; and reality show “Being Trans.”
Archewell Productions was founded in 2020 by Prince Harry and Meghan to produce programming that “informs, elevates and inspires.” The company, which is repped by WME, also has a partnership with Netflix.'
If Meghan's dress looks familiar, you'll recognise the piece from a reception for the Invictus Games in Germany. The TOTEME Wool Midi Dress is described as "a minimalist design with this knitted dress. Spun from wool, this soft garment boasts a sophisticated high-neck silhouette, reflecting the brand's timeless style." It's currently discounted by 50% to $220 on FarFetch (here).
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While the Lemonada news and the launch of the new website dominated headlines, I was most excited to read about Meghan's latest Archewell Foundation effort. The Duchess, in collaboration with non-profit Mina's List, gathered over the weekend with a group of fifteen Afghan women to cook traditional dishes, sit down and share personal stories.
On the outstanding work achieved by Mina's List, the Archewell Foundation statement notes: "Since 2014, Mina’s List has been working with women activists and political leaders in Afghanistan to push for greater gender equality. In 2021, Mina’s List helped evacuate and resettle over 2,000 Afghan women and families through independent and coalition efforts. With many women resettling in Southern California, Mina’s List and The Archewell Foundation joined forces to provide community and support to these remarkable women as they begin to rebuild their lives in the U.S."
"Late last year, the Sussexes unveiled The Welcome Project—a new key initiative of their Archewell Foundation inspired by the Hubb Community Kitchen that Meghan supported in the UK. According to the Archewell Initiative report, the program supports "women-led programming for recently resettled Afghan women to help build more inclusive and connected communities." There are currently 11 active Welcome Projects across the U.S., including the SoCal branch that Meghan visited."
The project continues the spirit of Meghan's work with the Hubb community kitchen, uplifting women and communities through food.
Meghan wore another piece debuted at the Invictus Games last year.
