Thursday 15 February 2024

The Sussexes Spend Valentine's Day in Canada & Latest News

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. 

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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.

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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. 


Seasoned sports and broadcast veteran, Scott Moore, is the CEO of the first Winter hybrid Invictus Games. Speaking about the role, he said, "I view this opportunity through the lens of a mission, and I simply could not think of one more important than this. I'm impressed with the existing team, and I look forward to jumping in and working together to deliver a world-class Games". Scott has been participating in local media interviews this week and spoke to CTV News about Harry and Meghan. "They're huge supporters of the Invictus Games," he continued: This is sports as a transformative power. It's sports content, but it's really about the participants and what they get out of it."

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This week's training camp was planned with the goal of supporting participating nations to build year-round adaptive sports programmes. 

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CTV News reports:

'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.

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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.

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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."

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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.'

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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."

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The couple departing to cheers.

The Duchess wrapped up in winter whites and neutrals. Below, Meghan sporting a past season Burberry beanie. 

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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.

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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."

Town & Country notes: 

"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.


The J Crew Cashmere Crewneck Sweater remains available in 'snow' (here), I believe it's currently sold out in black.


On that note, we expect to see the Duke and Duchess attending Invictus related events tomorrow and Friday.

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Wednesday 22 November 2023

Meghan Makes a Return Visit to Justice for Girls in Vancouver

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the UK four years ago, they found solace in Canada. Meghan's home for seven years while she starred on Suits and a place filled with happy memories for the couple especially during the first months of their relationship. As they made plans for the future in early 2020, Meghan paid a visit to a very special organisation called Justice for Girls. Below, Meghan pictured during that first visit.

Returning to Vancouver yesterday ahead of the 2025 Invictus Games, Meghan stopped by to check on the team and hear about the latest updates on their work. 

Justice for Girls was founded in 1999 "in response to local, national, and international calls for 'girl only' programs and services that acknowledge and address the specific needs and vulnerabilities of girls, particularly in relation to homelessness, poverty, and violence. They believe it is necessary to eliminate violence and poverty in young women’s lives in order to bring about equality. Recognizing and addressing the intersecting/interlocking forms of oppression that young women face is fundamental to our work toward ending violence against girls and young women".

On social media the organisation shared: "Justice for Girls was delighted to have a return visit from Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. Joined by Jessica Lake & Lauri Thompson from the Lake family’s All One Fund, we had an engaging & heartfelt conversation about justice & equality for girls in Canada & around the world". A spokesperson added: "A highlight of our conversation was the focus on girls’ and young women’s leadership. A feminist advocate from a young age herself, The Duchess was keen to chat with two of our teen interns to discuss their personal struggles for justice".

Justice for Girls said: "Her genuine and understanding approach left the girls feeling heard, supported, and inspired".

The Duchess was in a white sweater and wide leg trousers. She accessorised with Diana's Cartier Tank watch and Cartier Love bracelet.


And her new Lorraine Schwartz Against Evil Eye Diamond Pave bracelet (with thanks to What Meghan Wore).

Tuesday 21 November 2023

The Sussexes Return to Canada & A Busy Week for Meghan!

Hello dear readers! We're catching up on all things Harry and Meghan today. I'm delighted to say we have quite a bit to share (scroll down and you'll see the couple are back in Canada as we speak!). On Friday, 10 November, Meghan was spotted out for lunch with her friend Kelly McKee Zajfen. 

According to People the pair enjoyed a meal at Pane e Vino before a spot of retail therapy at nearby boutique Wendy Foster.

On Mother's Day, Kelly shared a lovely photo of her and Meghan with a little more background on their close bond and Meghan's ongoing support for Alliance of Moms. "As Mother’s Day approaches, I can’t help but think of my own community of Motherhood. I instantly think of you Meg. How incredibly nurturing and warm and open you are. What an incredible friend and mother. I’m truly in awe of you and I am so grateful you are part of my Community of Motherhood". Kelly described Meghan as a "fierce advocate for those in need". Kelly and her husband Julian lost their nine-year-old son George tragically. She has courageously worked as an advocate since, supporting moms and families, every step of the way.


Meghan sported a black sweater (with a poppy pin on her lapel in honour of Remembrance/Veterans Week). She teamed it with a pair of La Ligne canvas shorts in mushroom (available here), her Givenchy belt (first worn after the wedding), Aquazzura 'Love Affair' flats and carried the gorgeous Cesta Collective Braided Canvas Tote (available here). The brand is one Meghan is increasingly fond of and the underlying mission of the collective explains why. Cesta bags are made by hand from start-to-finish. Each basket is hand-crafted of locally sourced, renewable resources, by talented female artisans in Rwanda, Africa — whom Cesta are proud to pay 500-700% times the national average salary of Rwanda.


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There was a very special surprise in store at the Variety Power of Women event when Meghan made her red carpet return in style. 

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Speaking on the red carpet, Meghan spoke about the importance of women supporting each other. "This industry is so special and you see women use the platform that they have and just channel it for good. I think the more we support each other the more it amplifies the work, amplifies our community". Meghan added: "I'm just thrilled to be in such good company".

Meghan spoke about the "crossroads of entertainment meeting philanthropy", something very close to her heart. When asked about the incredible success of Suits on Netflix over the summer, Meghan smiled and said "Isn't it wild?", adding "It was great to work on. Such a great cast and crew. We had a really fun time. I was on it for seven seasons, so quite a bit, but, it's hard to find a show you can binge watch that many episodes of these days". The Duchess concluded: "Good shows are everlasting". 

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When asked about holiday traditions, Meghan replied, "That’s a great question. Our little ones are little, and we're enjoying every moment of it".

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People reports:

'The event celebrates the publication's Power of Women honorees, who each get their own Variety cover. Meghan, 42, was honored last year, and told reporters on the red carpet that she was "proud" to be in attendance to offer her support.

This year's Power of Women honorees are Fantasia Barrino, Billie Eilish, Lily Gladstone and Carey Mulligan. LuckyChap co-founders Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara were being awarded with the Producer of the Year award.'

Speaking about future projects, Meghan added: "We have so many exciting things on the slate. I can’t wait until we can announce them. But I’m just really proud of what we’re creating. My husband is loving it, too".

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The Duchess was effortlessly elegant in an off-shoulder beige dress by Proenza Schouler

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On Instagram, the brand revealed Meghan wore a bespoke version of their 'Rosa' dress in fawn matte viscose crepe. 


Meghan carried Proenza Schouler's Flip Shoulder bag (with thanks to What Meghan Wore).

And a pair of very chic Aquazzura 'Dangerous Liasons' pumps. They are currently on sale at Farfetch.

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I was very much hoping we would see a trip or two to Canada ahead of the 2025 Invictus Games and my wish was granted! The Duke and Duchess made their return to Vancouver attending a Vancouver Canucks hockey game against the San Jose Sharks.

Prince Harry made the first ceremonial puck drop.

People reports the moment had a very important connection to Harry's late grandmother: 'It was 21 years ago that the Queen, who died in Sept. 2022, made her own ceremonial puck drop at a Canucks and Sharks game in Vancouver. The National Hockey League rolled out the red carpet for the monarch during her visit on Oct. 6, 2002, which was part of her 11-day tour of Canada in honor of her Golden Jubilee'.

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By all accounts, the Queen enjoyed it just as much as Harry did :)

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CTV News Vancouver reports: "Harry attended the game alongside his wife Meghan Markle, local Indigenous leaders, B.C. Premier David Eby and Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports Minister Lana Popham".

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The match was held at Rogers Arena, the host venue for the closing games in 2025. Below, a very funny clip of the couple joining the crowd in total confusion at the decision to disallow a Sharks goal. 

The couple were joined by Markus Anderson, one of Meghan's closest friends. Tonight's photos reminded me of Markus accompanying Meghan to the Invictus Games Toronto closing ceremony back in 2017.

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In this shot, we can see Meghan's wearing her beautiful Cartier Juste un Clou necklace. 

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A closer look at the stunning piece.

With thanks to Royal Suitor via Twitter, the Daily Hive notes: "A delegation of senior representatives from Invictus are in Vancouver & Whistler this week for a pre-planned visit. The delegation will be conducting site visits and reviewing operational plans in both Vancouver and Whistler." Below, Prince Harry photographed earlier today.

It seems the Duchess is a dedicated Canucks fan :) 

The win was worthy of a dance move or two. Right, Harry?

Canada holds a very important place in Harry and Meghan's hearts. The 2025 games may be the very best yet.

Thursday 9 November 2023

Harry & Meghan Mark Veterans Week in San Diego

There are few weeks in the calendar year as important and poignant to Prince Harry as this one. In the UK, poppies are proudly worn and events are held across the country culminating in an indescribably moving gathering at the Cenotaph in Whitehall for Remembrance Sunday. As the clock strikes eleven, a two-minute silence will be observed Sunday morning. The silence represents the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 when the guns of Europe fell silent. As a man who proudly served Queen and country, it has always held a special place in Harry's heart. Captain Wales served for a decade - undertaking two tours to Afghanistan - the first member of the Royal family in twenty-five years to serve in a war zone. Upon leaving the army to focus on his duties, he vowed his time in the army would "stay with him for the rest of his life". When the Sussexes moved to the US, one of the most painful and unnecessary decisions was a refusal from Buckingham Palace for a wreath to be laid on his behalf. Since then, Harry remained true to words he shared then: 'Once Served, Always Serving' and has found a new way each year to mark the solemn week. It is, of course, Veterans Week in the US.

Earlier this week, Prince Harry made guests smile during the 17th Annual Stand Up for Heroes Benefit on Monday night. In a special message for the event, which supports veterans, Harry said: "As someone who never gets scrutinized, I haven't even had to prepare much. But I have been working on this particular act for quite some time. And everyone I know tells me it's perfect. No, these aren't people who just tell me what I want to hear. Oh no." The Prince noted how "special" the military community is, adding, "It is unique and that is hugely important to society both during active service and after. Our community is valued more than you'll ever know. And nights like this are testament to that".

Today, the couple spent the morning at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. 

A very excited family captured the Duke and Duchess arriving. 

Harry and Meghan had the opportunity to spend time with veteran and active duty service members and their families. 

A piece on the Archewell website read, "Part of their visit included time spent with Operation Bigs, a first-of-its-kind mentoring program for children of military families, including active duty, veteran, and Gold Star families. Mentors and mentees shared how mentorship is supporting their goals and ambitions, as well as the benefits of the community they have built through Operation Bigs. Founded in 2004, the program connects young people and families to mentors who can relate to the shared experiences and challenges faced by having a parent or parents in the military when they are on deployment and after they have returned. To date, the program has served more than 3,000 Navy and Marine Corps children and has expanded to over 30 affiliates across the country".

As you can see above, Harry wore his poppy on his lapel. We saw a lovely touch of thoughtful dressing from Meghan who wore a Carolina Herrera cardigan adorned with poppies. The sold out piece was described as: 'floral appliqué cardigan featuring navy blue, bright red, virgin wool, knitted construction, floral appliqué, ribbed cuffs, long sleeves, straight hem and front button fastening'.

Meghan wore her 'La Fayette' Rafferty skirt. 

This evening, the Duke and Duchess were delighted to attend the opening of a "revolutionary training facility for veterans" in Downtown San Diego. Harry and Meghan were joined by over 250 Navy SEAL Foundation leaders, veterans and their families officially opened the Warrior Fitness Program West Coast Facility.

More from ABC 10 News San Diego:

'The facility is 20,000 square feet along 10th Avenue near Petco Park. This West Coast Warrior Fitness Program facility will allow Navy SEAL Warriors and veterans to train and recover from injuries and trauma. The opening comes just days ahead of Veterans Day.

The facility will not only have the best fitness and workout equipment but will also be staffed with personnel to work with the SEALs.

It’s all funded by donors of the Navy SEAL Foundation who provide support for SEALs when they’re injured or ill while on active duty.'

The Duchess was elegant in a black Armani suit. Meghan's tailored-fit, Silk Button-Front blazer features notch lapels. It's available at Saks Fifth Avenue (here). 

More from the product description:

'A fabric that perfectly hugs the feminine silhouette, sleek lines slipping over the figure, timeless details that complete an immediately recognisable garment: the Giorgio Armani jacket has found new, contemporary styles and will always be an essential garment in any woman's wardrobe. Here, it’s rendered even more unique, made from Mulberry silk yarn, which is upgrade, thanks to its extremely fine and even filaments, its smooth texture, and its durability.'

And matching Armani Silk Palazzo trousers (with thanks to Royal Fashion Police). 

Meghan accessorised with her 'wedding day' Cartier earrings.


If you would like to support Operation Bigs please click here.

Tuesday 10 October 2023

Harry & Meghan Mark World Mental Health Day 2023 in New York By Investing in Students & Supporting Parents

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked World Mental Health Day with events in New York City today.

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The day began with a visit to The Marcy Lab School in Brooklyn which offers an alternative to the traditional college route.

Students are offered a rigorous tuition-free, one-year programme. Teachers Maya Bhattacharjee-Marcantonio and Reuben Ogbanna founded the school in 2019 to support young black and brown students in achieving their potential in the tech sector. On the school's inception, Maya told CNBC: "The story that’s not often told is what happens when a young person gets to college, and what we learned was that college wasn’t serving our students", Reuben added: "High-quality instruction and emphasis on community identity development and leadership development is what makes Marcy special."

Students are supported each and every step of the way. Through mentorship, coaching and peer support, it's a year which offers the opportunity to realise potential. The school promises students: "You’ll graduate with not only the skills to write beautiful, scalable code, but the ability to contribute to and lead teams. You’ll know how to remain confident and composed under stress, and—most of all—you’ll bring your whole self to work, knowing that your background and identity add value to every room you enter."

People magazine covered the story and did a wonderful job speaking to students and teachers. It was confirmed today Harry and Meghan have invested in supporting the school:

'Bhattacharjee-Marcantonio told PEOPLE of the couple's visit: "Reuben and I just feel so touched and so grateful. The Marcy Lab has been a dream of ours and it's something we work so hard for every day and to have their support — not just financially — and the investment that they made in Marcy, but for them also to take the time to come to the campus, is such a generous act of just belief in us, belief in our students and the work that we do."

 Below, Harry and Meghan participating in a roundtable discussion with alumni.

More from People's story:

'Speaking to a small group of students, Harry talked about the importance of relying on one another.

“Everyone’s got their own story, a reason for being here, your life is still going to be filled with complications and challenges. And if one of you starts to go quiet, doesn’t show up, you need to find out why," he said. “And remember to have fun! It has to be fun."

"What excites you the most and scares you the most about the online world?” Harry then asked the students as both he and Meghan listened.

Meghan then said: “I think my husband was asking about online spaces because it’s a place where so much community can be built, but there’s also so much vulnerability. There's a lot of saturation, and as parents, we can be hopeful knowing that your bright minds [are at work], knowing that they will be seen, valued and growing in the right direction. And that’s why it’s so important what you’re doing at The Marcy Lab.”'

During the conversation, Meghan asked about the friendships created at Marcy: "All of you become the best advocates of Marcy,” she said. “Your stories and experiences give people an appetite to be here." People noted Meghan told one teacher, "It takes a village and you’re raising an incredible village here."

A current student of the programme, Ashley Tucker, said, "I asked Meghan why she decided to invest in us and she was saying she really believed in our mission and the environment that we created. Both Harry and Meghan came into our classroom and were really engaging with us and interested in what we had to say about the program. I hope people take away that our stories are important and valuable. I want people to get that."

Meanwhile, school co-founder, Reuben, told People Harry and Meghan "were so cool and down to earth". "I just hope they know how much the visit meant to us."

Did you recognise Meghan's Varsity jacket? You might recall it was a gift from students at Robert Clack school in Dagenham. The visit was one of Meghan's last official engagements in the United Kingdom and was planned to mark International Women's Day. It struck a chord with Meghan who penned a letter to students the following year, thanking them for "fond memories". She also said she "thinks of you all frequently". I imagine the students will be delighted to see their school jacket made its way with Meghan to the US and was worn proudly today.

Meghan also wore her black skinny Frame jeans from the Invictus Games and her Jennifer Chamandi Lorenzo 105 pumps which she's had since 2020.

A piece of fashion trivia: Meghan wore the same Lorenzo pumps in two tone for her 2020 visit to Robert Clack school in Dagenham.

From there, it was time for Archewell's first in-person event: the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age.

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The forum, hosted by Carson Daly, is part of a series of events throughout the day in partnership with Project Healthy Minds.

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A glimpse behind-the-scenes from Carly Ledbetter.

The Archewell discussion was planned to give voice to families who are committed to building a safer online space for their children. People revealed: "The families have been engaged with The Archewell Foundation for the past year, bolstering community and driving towards solutions. Together, they are united in their mission to share personal experiences, data, and research to ensure the same does not happen to other families."

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More from Carly Ledbetter, reporting live from the event: "Tony and Brandy Roberts and Dave and Jennie DeSerio spoke at the summit about losing their children to suicide in connection with social media. They described the apps their children used, how algorithms led their kids to dark corners of the internet, and how the tech companies and their products were smarter even than internet-savvy parents".

The Duchess said she "found it impossible not to be in tears" listening to the "devastating" stories from families. 

Meghan said: "They say being a parent, the days are long but the years are short, so it worries me, but I'm also given a lot of hope and energy by the progress we've made in the past year being able to have these incredible parents, these survivors of these experiences, share their stories and the more information gathering we're able to do, the more we can move the needle a little bit".

Harry began by taking the opportunity to thank parents who shared deeply personal and painful stories, I can’t start without thanking all the parents, the mothers and fathers for being with us physically today, but also being on this journey with us for the last year, creating this community of shared experience. We know it’s not easy for you guys to be here so thank you very much.

Meghan spoke about the burden not being placed solely on parents' shoulders: "Many of the platforms that we've had conversations quietly behind the scenes with these tech executives and they do feel that they have created and they have, many of them, created parental controls and certain guardrails, much of which many parents, if you aren't tech savvy, you can't navigate that comfortably, it feels pretty overwhelming."

The Duchess told guests: "Being a mom is the most important thing in my life…outside of being a wife to this one."

Carson Daly offered a light-hearted moment when he called Meghan a "kick-ass woman".

They were joined by Dr Vivek Murthy, the 21st Surgeon General of the United States.

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More on Murthy's prestigious career:

'As the Nation's Doctor, the Surgeon General's mission is to help lay the foundation for a healthier country, relying on the best scientific information available to provide clear, consistent, and equitable guidance and resources for the public. And as the Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy commands a uniformed service of over 6,000 dedicated public health officers, serving the most underserved and vulnerable populations domestically and abroad.

While serving as 21st Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy is focused on drawing attention to and working across government to address a number of critical public health issues, including the growing proliferation of health misinformation, the ongoing youth mental health crisis, well-being and burnout in the health worker community, and social isolation and loneliness. Additionally, he serves as a key advisor to President Biden's COVID-19 pandemic response operation.

During his previous tenure as 19th Surgeon General, under President Obama, Dr. Murthy created initiatives to tackle our country's most pressing public health challenges. The first Surgeon General of Indian descent and the youngest active duty flag officer in federal uniformed service, he helped lead the national response to a range of health challenges, including the Ebola and Zika viruses, the opioid crisis, and the growing threat of stress and loneliness to Americans' physical and mental wellbeing. Dr. Murthy also continued the office's legacy on preventing tobacco-related disease, releasing a historic Surgeon General's report on e-cigarettes and youth. And in 2016, he issued the first Surgeons General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health, in which he challenged the nation to expand access to prevention and treatment, and to recognize addiction as a chronic illness, not a character flaw.'

People reports:

"What we're going to need is to work together and partner with other parents," Murthy said of keeping kids off social media at a young age. "Because it's a lot easier to do if you are a part of a group of parents who say we're going to do this for our kids. Whenever one of our kids say, 'I'm the only one not on it,' we can say, No, Harry and Meghan's kids aren't on it either!'"

Meghan and Harry received a standing ovation when their panel came to a close. They shared hugs with Carson Daly and the Surgeon General before quietly exiting the stage'.

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2023, 'Mental health is a universal human right', aims to improve knowledge, create conversations and drive actions to "protect everyone's mental health as a universal right".

Click here to watch the full conversation.

Meghan was effortlessly chic in a white ensemble by Altuzarra (with thanks to Pearl).

Embed from Getty Images

The Duchess wore the brand's Wilding Off-the-Shoulder Wool Blazer. The sold-out piece was described as "featuring layered design, off-shoulder, front button fastening and two side flap pockets".

Meghan teamed the look with her Aquzzura Purist pumps in nude.

Meghan wore her bespoke Sarah Hendler 'Spear' earrings. The custom made pair were created several years ago to include Harry and Archie's birthstones. 

Meghan wore the striking Logan Hollowell Queen Emerald Cut Cuban Choker. 

A very moving event and a fitting choice for World Mental Health Day.