The Sussexes have been busy behind the scenes in the past week starting with Tuesday’s announcement —
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights announced that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been named this year’s Ripple of Hope Award laureates in recognition of their work on racial justice, mental health, and other social impact initiatives through their Archewell Foundation.
The couple will be honored alongside laureates Frank Baker, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Siris Capital, and Brian Moynihan, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of America, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
More from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights —
When The Duke and Duchess accepted our award laureate invitation back in March, we were thrilled. The couple has always stood out for their willingness to speak up and change the narrative on racial justice and mental health around the world,” said Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “They embody the type of moral courage that my father once called the ‘one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.’”
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In honor of World Mental Health day on Monday, it was announced that the Archewell Foundation has partnered with Project Healthy Minds to provide mental health resources and guidance, including themes that tie in with episodes of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast.
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We saw new photos from the One Young World Summit held in September.
The photos were taken by photographer, Misan Harriman, who shared them on his social media accounts.
During the summit, the couple participated in a conversation with young leaders about advancing inclusion.
The intimate roundtable discussion focused on advancing gender equality and inclusion, which was moderated by the Irish writer and disability activist Sinéad Burke. They were joined by eight delegates, who shared how their projects are impacting social change.
More from Town & Country —
Swara Patel, whose work is focused on combatting the taboo surrounding menstruation, described the impacts of period poverty; Shilpa Yarlagadda, CEO of the ethically sourced jewelry company Shiffon Co., spoke on the importance of supporting women-led businesses; and Nhial Deng, the founder of Refugee Youth Peach Ambassadors and SheLeads Kakuma, detailed the needs of women living in refugee camps.
Other participants in the conversation included Senior Prosecutor at the Kiribati Office of the Attorney General Tabotabo Auatabu, founder of C Talent Keely Cat Wells, civil rights activist Isra Chaker, founder of the Empowerment Initiative for Rural Women and Girls-Zambia Ireen Chikatula, and football coach Nagin Ravand. Misan Harriman, who has photographed the Sussexes on several occasion, was also on hand to capture the moment, in new pictures, first shared with T&C today.
Meghan had this to say in her keynote speech —
“I am thrilled that my husband is able to join me here this time, to be able to see and witness firsthand my respect for this incredible organization and all that it provides, as well as accomplishes,” Meghan said in this year’s keynote. “One Young World has been an integral part of my life for so many years before I met him, so to meet again here on UK soil with him by my side, makes it all feel full circle.”
Meghan has been involved with One Young World since the 2014 Summit in Dublin, Ireland where she was a counselor. She subsequently attended One Young World Summits in Ottawa in 2016 and London in 2019.
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On Wednesday night last week, Harry and Meghan attended a Jack Johnson Concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl.
Hawaiian singer-songwriter Paula Fuga shared these photos taken with the couple backstage.
Meghan wore a navy blue ensemble – we’re thinking it is either a jumpsuit or blouse and matching trousers.
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Archetypes podcast returned last week and featured actress comedian Margaret Cho and Lisa Ling along with sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen. The episode focused on discussing the media trope known as “the dragon lady,” which typically depicts women of Asian descent as oversexualized and violent, with the connotation that they are scheming and malicious. They noted that, while other harmful racist stereotypes have fallen by the wayside in recent decades, this one has hardly been deconstructed and has even continued to show up in mainstream media at times.
Lisa Ling shared this photo on Instagram of her, her daughter Jett and Meghan when they recorded the episode of Archetypes Podcast.
The latest episode of Archetypes podcast is out today – Meghan’s guests this week are actresses Constance Wu, Jenny Slate and Bollywood actress, Deepika Padukone. The episode, entitled “The Decoding of Crazy,” focuses on how the label “Crazy” has been applied to women and stigmatizes those seeking help.
In the introduction to the episode Meghan had this to say —
“I feel pretty strongly about this word…this label: ‘crazy’…the way that it’s thrown around so casually and the damage it’s wrought on society and women everywhere—from relationships to families being shattered, reputations destroyed, and careers ruined. The stigma surrounding the word, it also has this silencing effect—this effect where women experiencing real mental health issues, they get scared, they stay quiet, they internalize and repress for far too long.”
Meghan also revealed how when she was at her “worst point” psychologically, Harry found a way to help her.
“I mean I think, at my worst point, being finally connected to someone that, you know, my husband had found a referral for me to call and I called this woman,” she said. “She didn’t know I was even calling her and she was checking out at the grocery store. I could hear the little beep, beep, and I was like, ‘Hi,’ I’m introducing myself and like I can literally hear her going, ‘Wait, sorry. I’m just…Who is this?’ And saying I need help. And she could hear the dire state that I was in.” She continued, “But I think it’s for all of us to be really honest about what it is that you need and to not be afraid to make peace with that, to ask for it.”
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Also last week, it was announce that Archewell Foundation has teamed up with The VING Project to give $1 million in grants to women who serve as inspiration to young individuals.
The partnership, which was inspired by the Archetypes podcast, asks anyone between the ages of 14 and 18 to nominate a woman who has inspired them and worked hard to meet their goals, despite facing challenges such as financial hardships.
Nominators will be able to give a $1,000 dollar grant to the nominee of their choice. Not only does it support women in need, but it also helps the next generation participate in the joy of giving.
In order to qualify for the grant, nominees “must be U.S. residents, non-extended or immediate family members and in need of financial assistance to be eligible according to the press release.
Liz Lefkofsky, founder of Ving had this to say about the partnership.
We share the joy of philanthropy with Archewell Foundation and are proud to help young people make a difference by giving a financial boost to others who are financially vulnerable.”
Learn more about nominations on Ving’s site here.
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Our recap of what Meghan wore —
For the One Young World panel discussion Meghan wore a cashmere polo sweater from Brandon Maxwell — The Eleanor Polo in Silk Cashmere, $795.
A follower suggested that she may be wearing the Gabriela Hearst ‘Vargas’ wide-leg high-rise silk trousers, $1145.
Her shoes are the Manolo Blahnik ‘BB’ 105 pump in nude suede, $725.
Her earrings are the Tabayer She also wore the Tabayer ‘Oera’ 18K Fairmined Yellow Gold Earrings, $3900.
Meghan’s red blouse and matching trousers are from Another World – the bow blouse in fire red, $540, and classic trouser in fire red, $590.
In the photo from her podcast with Lisa Ling, Meghan is wearing the Anine Bing ‘Elyse’ trouser, $249, in cotton-linen oat beige (no longer available).
We still do not have a confirmed ID on Meghan’s striped blouse or her all navy blue outfit worn to the Jack Johnson concert. We will update the post if we learn more.
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Our friend, artist, Amelia Noyes has created several stunning royal desk calendars for 2023 available on her site including one for Meghan. The desk calendars are 10″x5, $23.84. Choose from Meghan, The Queen and the Princess of Wales.
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We leave you with this last bit of news — Details around King Charles’ coronation was announce today. It will be a short one hour ceremony and will take place on May 6, 2023. Read more about the event here.
Thank you for all these wonderful updates!