Sunday 7 April 2019

"Immensely Grateful" Harry and Meghan Thank Supporters As They Introduce Inspiring Charities

Happy Sunday, I'm just popping in for a quick post.

Although the Duchess of Sussex is on maternity leave, it has certainly been an eventful week for the couple. They officially moved into their Windsor home Frogmore cottage and launched their own Instagram account, which will cover their work, causes and personal announcements moving forward. All eyes have been on Sussex Royal as many were eager to see how Harry and Meghan would use it to connect with those in the UK, Commonwealth and their global fanbase. Thus far the posts have been incredibly personable, warm, informative and I would say, if I had to guess, Meghan quite possibly had a hand in writing parts of them, if not some entirely. In addition to the aforementioned news, the #GlobalSussexBabyShower has raised over £30,000. The initiative didn't go unnoticed...


The couple shared:

'What an incredibly special surprise the grassroots led #globalsussexbabyshower was last Sunday! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are immensely grateful for the outpouring of love and support in anticipation of the birth of their first child.
In lieu of sending gifts, the couple have long planned to encourage members of the public to make donations to select charities for children and parents in need. If you already made a donation, the couple send you their greatest thanks. If you are thinking about it, they ask that you kindly consider the organisations they’ve selected, which we will highlight here over the next few days.
The Duke and Duchess remain appreciative for your warm wishes and kindness during this especially happy time in their lives! Thank you for sharing the love.'

It was fascinating to see the couple highlight their four chosen charities and their reasons for selecting them over the weekend. The Lunch Box Fund supports vulnerable children in South Africa to get the education they need to escape a life of poverty by providing a nutritious daily meal to schoolchildren who would otherwise go hungry. It was important to the couple to choose a Commonwealth country. "As President and Vice President of The Queens Commonwealth Trust, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are committed to supporting the children and communities of the 53 commonwealth countries around the world."


More from The Lunchbox Fund "The first five years of a child’s life are critical for their physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. The ‘essential package’ of integrated ECD services in South African policy covers the five pillars of: Social Services, Maternal and Child Health Interventions, Support for Primary Care Givers, Stimulation for Early Learning, and Nutrition Support. The Lunchbox Fund seeks to address two of these five pillars – Nutrition Support and Stimulation for Early Learning – through spearheading nutrition provision in ECDC and playgroups offering quality educare across the country. Investing resources to support and promote optimal child development from a young age yields compound dividends into adulthood, and contributes to a country’s truly sustainable development." If you wish to donate, you can so by visiting their website here.


Next, the couple introduced a charity they've been supporting behind-the-scenes; Little Village. More from Sussex Royal: "Similar to a food bank, Little Village is for clothes, toys and essentials for babies and children up to the age of five. The Duchess of Sussex became aware of the organisation last December and strongly believes in their community ethos and goal to ensure every parent and young child have the necessary supplies and support they need. The couple have made private contributions in the last few months, and are excited to share this special organisation with you."


Little Village aim to one day ensure no child grows up in London without proper essentials including bedding, cots and clothing. 40% of the families they support do not have a safe place for their babies to sleep. Over the past three years, they have provided over 1000 cots and beds. They are entirely reliant on public donations for help and families in local communities supporting other parents in need.


They have been "completely astounded" by the reaction from the public. Sophia Parker, Chief Executive of Little Village said: “We’ve been completely astounded by the response we’ve received since being mentioned on the Duke and Duchess’ Instagram account. We’ve received messages and donations from as far afield as Australia, Texas and Hong Kong, it’s fantastic to think that people across the world appreciate our work. We’re a very small charity, so support like this is crucial. We often see families whose babies are being forced to sleep on cushions on the floor and children with shoes two sizes too small."


If you wish to donate, you can so by clicking here. Little Village also shared a list of items they need.


Harry's patronage WellChild was naturally included on the list. WellChild is the national UK children's charity helping to get seriously ill children and young people out of hospital and home to their families. Harry has been incredibly touched by the "inspirational" children and young people he's met since he became Patron in 2007. Speaking about their courage he said: "Many of the children and young people WellChild support have been dealt the hardest card imaginable in life, and yet their courage inspires the most incredible strength in those around them." Meghan became part of the WellChild family last year when she joined Harry for their inspirational awards.


Harry and Meghan's spokesperson said: "For those who have inquired, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ask that you consider supporting WellChild and three other select charities in lieu of sending baby gifts for their upcoming arrival." If you wish to donate you can so by clicking here.


Last but not least, it's Baby 2 Baby, a charity providing essential necessities to children up to 12 years old in Los Angeles. In addition to supporting Harry's patronage, a London charity and an organisation based in a Commonwealth country, it was important to Meghan to honour her roots. Sussex Royal wrote "As a native of Los Angeles, the Duchess of Sussex wanted to include a locally based charity from her hometown that helps children and parents in need."


More from the charity: "In the last 7 years, Baby2Baby has distributed over 50 million items to children in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, foster care, hospitals and under served schools, as well as children across the country who have lost everything in the wake of disasters."


Their tireless efforts have made a significant impact.

If you wish to donate, please click here.


I thought mentioning the #GlobalSussexBabyShower, a wonderful gesture and acknowledgement of the outpouring of support and good wishes they have received. It's obvious they both gave their own chosen charities a great deal of thought, each one does outstanding work and in addition to donations, I cannot think of a more appropriate use of their new social media platform than to bear a spotlight on important organisations.


Speaking of Instagram, I've followed in Harry and Meghan's footsteps and finally created a page for Mad About Meghan, click here if you would like to follow!


The royal reporters do expect to hear details regarding Baby Sussex in the coming days. I imagine the couple are hoping to keep it as private as possible, hence the later than expected announcement.

35 comments:

  1. What Baby news do you think we’ll be hearing?? As I’ve said before I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear about the delivery until afterwards but gosh I’m getting excited!!!!

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    1. We'll definitely get an update this week apparently. My guess is it will simply be confirmation regarding the chosen hospital and perhaps news the couple will privately release photos rather than an official photocall outside the hospital.

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    2. If there is no photocall are they still going to announce when Meghan is in labor.?

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  2. Those images from the Lunch Box made me cry. All of the charities are so worthwhile, but those little tiny kids eating just got to me.

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  3. Thank you, Charlotte! So uplifting and inspiring. I really enjoyed reading about these charities and the Sussexes support.

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  4. Charlotte, I hope you are doing well. In appreciation of your work.

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  5. This is a wonderful young couple using their place in life to do good for others. I hope their children grow up with those values too. April 18 is celebrated in poetry as The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. It would be so cheeky and perfect if half-American Baby Sussex arrived that date.

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    1. greybirdk--I LOVE this idea! How fitting!

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    2. Speaking of which, have we discussed whether Baby Sussex will get dual citizenship ever? Is that even an option from birth or would he/she have to apply later in life like anyone else?

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    3. Becca H in Colorado8 April 2019 at 21:19

      Anna, I think the baby will for sure be just a UK citizen.

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    4. To Becca H in Colorado ~ Most likely a dual citizenship. Much hinges on Meghans own citizenship. She has not been in country long enough to be a UK citizen. It can take several years. This baby will be dual. If it isn't then they got special treatment for her path to British citizenship. Which I do not feel they would do. That would be so very elitist and run against their principles in my view.

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    5. Anna from TN, have you had your baby yet?

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    6. They won't need special treatment for their child to be a dual citizen. Any of their children will fulfill the requirements to be dual citizens right away because he is a British citizen and she is an American citizen. (She can become a UK citizen without having to revoke her American citizenship, it just takes two years to fulfill all the requirements.) I'm American and my husband is British. We live in England but I only have permanent residency, not citizenship. All three of our children were born in the UK and have dual citizenship. We used their British birth certificates to acquire British passports. Because of my US citizenship, we could immediately make an appointment at the US Embassy in London and apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (like a US birth certificate), social security number, and a US passport. If you are eligible for a US passport, you are meant to have one and use it to enter America. It is a fairly easy and straight-forward process. Dual citizenship for their baby does not depend on her being a UK citizen yet. Hope that helps!

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  6. the link to your instagram is not working (delete after correction, pl)

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  7. Good job Miss Charlotte.Charlotte it's great to have opened the account of this pretty site on instagram. I find the work of the Sussex, who knows how to highlight their work and the interest of others in this work, admirable. I read your publication on these charities with enthusiasm. How not to support them as much as we can?

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  8. They are absolutely just incredibly lovely and caring people! Picking charities to help those really in need instead of asking for gifts for their child, just wonderful! You know Princess Diana would be absolutely beaming. I am so excited that it is APRIL and crossing my fingers and toes we have baby news sooner than later!!!

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  9. Hi Charlotte, for some reason the link to your MadAboutMeghan instagram account did not work for me? Could you possibly post the actual name/handle of the instagram account? Thanks :) xx

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    1. My apologies, there appears to be an issue with Instagram, I'll check it out as soon as I get home this evening.

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  10. What happened to the Instagram posts that were up yesterday?

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    1. It's fixed now, thank you all for your patience :)

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  11. So delighted to have the sussexroyal Instagram platform in addition to this lovely blog. I have missed The Tig so much. Of course, the subject matter will differ; however, it's wonderful to have Meghan back on social media. Her voice is quite distinctive. Like others, I suspect that she is the main author of the site's postings. That said, I suspect that anything posted must be officially vetted.

    The acknowledgement of the GlobalSussexBabyShower hashtag leads me to suspect that someone in the Household is reading this blog. Perhaps Meghan and Harry do not read press and social media platforms in order to dial down the noise around their lives; however, I believe their office does.

    I look forward to following the MAM Instagram account as soon as the link glitches are corrected.

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    1. I 100% believe Meghan is highly involved in their new social media account. I didn’t follow her before Harry so I didn’t read her blog or anything, but I’ve seen enough people commenting that the captions seem very much like her style that I believe it. Also, there has been such a sea-change in the way their account is done vs the way KP was done when they were there before under that umbrella that makes me think she’s got more control under the new account.
      Regarding the acknowledgment of the baby shower online initiative, it’s nice they recognized it, but I’ve never truly believed that she or Harry aren’t reading what’s out there about them. I don’t mean that in any sort of bad way, but if someone has been very active in running their own social media and running blogs, the notion of completely turning all of that off and ignoring everything written about them is just a bit hard to believe.
      Regardless, that isn’t shade or hate or anything. I think their new account seems to be serving its purpose and is being done well.

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  12. Thank you Charlotte. I am impatient and excited. I respect the choice of the couple who will decide for the photos. In the hospital where private, I take.

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  13. Becca H in Colorado8 April 2019 at 16:13

    I don't know why, but I'm touched they included an American charity. It's really lovely that Meghan is able to incorporate her home country and influences in the amazing work she and Harry do.

    It can't be long now! I'll bet they will keep everything incredibly under wraps, as others have said, given how we've heard nothing and she's certainly almost at her due date. My guess is now that we'll get an official photo rather than an appearance at the hospital. I wonder how long Meghan will stay on maternity leave?

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  14. Charlotte, I absolutely love this post. It is so well written, inviting and warm. You do both Duchesses proud. Great work.

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  15. Hmm I have noticed that all the royal Instagram accounts have gotten a makeover recently. SussexRoyal is obviously choosing to share more about personal causes and charities that Harry and Meghan support. But "theroyalfamily" which is the Queen's official instagram account has had less formal posts too including one today celebrating #nationalunicornday. Also the queen herself has chosen to write some captions of instagram posts recently. I wonder if the royal family put their heads together and decided the only way to buck negative press was to have social media accounts that are more personalized, less formal, and thus the royals themselves (including the 92 year old queen) can themselves control the message.

    All positive changes I think.

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    1. You make a good point. I enjoyed the unicorn day post.

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  16. Angelina Bucket9 April 2019 at 19:01

    Meghan once said "With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility ... And, if I’m lucky enough, to inspire." - and for me she is the most inspirational woman I have ever seen. Reading about all the charity she does empowers me to make a change by myself. As I wrote some weeks ago I started my own business to support mothers while their maternity break and now I am so happy to start charity work myself - I will support young mothers in their first year with their babys and I am also planning a programm to support refugee mothers with their children. Wish I could ever tell Meghan how she inspired me - and in the meantime I'm telling you ;-)

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  17. Angelina, I would like to know your company and/or website. And if you write a letter to Harry and Meghan, I think they will eventually read it and hear about your company. Even if it takes a year, it may be beneficial.

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    1. Angelina Bucket12 April 2019 at 18:46

      Allison, I think writing a letter is a good idea. When I am online I will write them. The name is Millie Hampton Couture - but the shop is not online jet. If you are interested you can follow me in social media :-)

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  18. I find it a little odd that the Royal Sussex Instagram posts are written in the third person when they are quite clearly composed by Meghan! (No English person would use the construction "if you already donated.") I feel for her - the last days of pregnancy seem to go on forever.
    Sarah UK

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    1. Sarah; just out of curiosity as a non-native speaker and a bit if a language geek, what phrase would English people use? Thank you for clarifying! I mostly get in touch with Americans so it did not strike me as weird.
      Otherwise, I even thought about the possibility of Meghan personally being named as a member of the communications team, but probably that is unlikely/impossible?
      Ella

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  19. We would say "if you have already donated" !

    Sarah UK

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