Meghan and Harry’s Busy Week with Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, Baby2Baby and When We All Vote – UPDATED

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It was a busy week for the Sussexes with video chats and volunteer events!

On Monday, 17 August, Harry and Meghan, President and Vice-President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, joined a group of young leaders from it’s network to discuss social media and the role of the online world as a force for good.

The group discussed the power and potential of digital communities, collaboration and positive behaviors to drive mass positive change at scale.

The discussion ‘brought to life the reality of online communities for good and the profound difference they can make to lives over generations in the future’.

The participants included Brighton Kaoma, Founder of Agents of Change Foundation in Zambia; Hunter Johnson, Founder of The Man Cave in Australia; Rosie Thomas, Co-Founder of Project Rockit in Australia; and, Vee Kativhu, Study & Empowerment YouTuber and Founder of ‘Empowered by Vee.’ The discussion was chaired by Chief Executive of QCT, Nicola Brentnall.

The Duke of Sussex took a moment to also reflect on the “power and purpose of the modern Commonwealth and Her Majesty The Queen’s role in championing the Commonwealth and young people as a force for good” —

“I think everything my Grandmother wanted to achieve when she took this huge responsibility on, she’s managed… hearing you guys, and knowing the broad spectrum that QCT engulfs, you’re the definition of the 21st century Commonwealth, and what it means to be part of it. You are there, standing for equality, for mutual respect, and for fairness.”

The Duchess of Sussex also commented on how important positive online experiences in today’s current climate —

“Everyone’s mental and emotional wellbeing are perhaps more fragile than ever before, certainly with COVID and our dependability on devices right now in the absence of human interaction. People are going online more than ever before to feel community.”

Meghan also included that the “key piece of the puzzle” is for individuals to not give into “the noise of social media and to choose not to share negative social media posts further if they want to make a difference today.”

“When you look at what these platforms are capable of with that reach, and what that propels in terms of trolling… You can either train people to be cruel, or you can train people to be kind. It’s really that simple.”

The Duke had these closing comments —

“It’s on all of us collectively to make the world a better place – and we are.”

You can read more about the event and the discussion here or watch the video below —

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On Wednesday, 19 August, Duke and Duchess took part in a drive-thru distribution with Baby2Baby in South Los Angeles at Dr Owen Lloyd Knox Elementary school. The event was the first to be held in conjunction with LA Schools as students start the new school year in a distanced learning format.

Harry and Meghan’s visit saw the couple hand out a variety of school supplies.

Baby2Baby provides basic necessities like diapers, wipes and clothes to kids and families in need. Since March 2020, the organization has distributed more than 30 million critical items to hundreds of thousands of children across the US.

Baby2Baby’s Co-Presidents, Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof had this to say —

“We are so grateful to be onsite during the most unique back to school week in history distributing school supplies, backpacks, hygiene, clothing and food directly to children and families who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are struggling to afford the basic necessities they rely on school to provide,”

“We are committed to supporting the students from our partners at LAUSD and around the country throughout distance learning as well as when they are back in the classroom.”

Below, Meghan helps a little boy with his new backpack as Harry playfully tries to peek under the boy’s cap visor. So adorable!

Success! A very happy boy and his new backpack ready for the new school year!

From Town & Country, a source close to the couple said that Harry and Meghan were —

“determined to serve every last child waiting in a line that wrapped around the school” and they “chatted with the families about the upcoming school year and wished all of the kids good luck.”

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And finally, on Thursday evening, 20 August, Meghan participated in the When All Women Vote voter registration couch party.

The event, which was hosted by The United State of Women and When We All Vote, was held to encourage voter registration via text messaging. In addition to Meghan, a number of other special guests participated in the party including; Glamour Editor-in-Chief, Samantha Barry as well as actress and activist, Yvette Nicole-Brown, known for the NBC TV comedy series Community.

The When We All Vote organization is “a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that is on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American.”

The organization was launched in 2018 by co-chairs Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

Meghan kicked off the evening’s event from her home in Montecito, California.

The Duchess had these opening words to say —

“When I think about voting and why this is so exceptionally important for all of us, I would frame it as: ‘We vote to honor those who came before us and to protect who will come after us”

“We vote to honor those who came before us and to protect those who will come after us.”

More from actress Yvette Nicole Brown —

“Women get things done. And when we take action, like w always do, we ensure a better and brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.”

The event help to successfully reached over 300,000 new voters. Click here for more information on how you can participate: WhenWeAllVote.org

You can hear Meghan’s opening words in the YouTube video below.

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And now a look at what Meghan wore for her busy week!

For the QCT video chat, Meghan had on what appears to be a white and blue floral either top or dress. We are unsure of the designer/brand. Once we have confirmation, we will update the post.

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For the Baby2Baby event on Wednesday, Meghan wore a shirt by Victoria Beckham. It is the Oversized Classic Shirt in White, available at Farfetch, $430.

The shirt had been available on Victoria Beckham’s site and was marked down to $301.

Thanks to Elizabeth of Meghan’s Fashion for the ID on the shirt from one of her followers!

UPDATE 19 August: The Duchess wore shorts from Anthropologie – the Liza Utility Shorts in Moss, $120. We’ve only found the listing on Anthro’s Singapore site as they shorts have been sold out for some time now most likely as part of an end-of-season sale.

Meghan’s face mask is by Royal Jelly Harlem, a black, female-female founded company based in New York City. It is their adult mask in blue seersucker, $15.00. Currently the mask is showing “sold out” however, it’s possible the company will produce more. Again, check back here for updates. 

The masks are 100% cotton and described as unisex, reusable, washable and double lined with a filter in a contrast orange color cotton voile.

More from Royal Jelly Harlem about the company —

“Royal Jelly Harlem is an African-inspired clothing and home decorating line founded in February 2011 by mother-daughter duo Teta and Maya Gorgoni. After many trips to West and South Africa, they were inspired by the artistry of the printed fabrics. These fabrics inspired an exciting new line of fashion and home décor that would become Royal Jelly Harlem.”

The company does offer the mask in a variety of fabrics including a pink, a red and a black seersucker. The masks are also available in kid sizes.

The Duchess also wore her Cartier ‘Love’ bangle bracelet in gold and her Monica Vinader Linear Friendship Bracelet in gold, $175.

Her sneakers are the Adidas Originals – Stan Smith, $80.

Below from Baby2Baby Instagram, a short video of the day’s event —

 

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Finally, Meghan can be seen wearing what appears to be a black sweater or top in the All Women Vote Now video. Due to the quality of the video, we’re unable to identify the brand/designer of the top. We’ll update the post should more information become available.

LINKS:

• The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust site is here.
• To learn more & get involved with When We All Vote click here.
• Baby2Baby’s site is here.
• Town & Country’s article on the Baby2Baby event is here.
• Harper’s article on the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust chat is here.