The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to New York to speak at an event on World Mental Health Day, but the public reactions there was not as expected.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made a quiet return to New York City for a speaking engagement at an event on World Mental Health Day, representing their Archewell Foundation. However, the royal couple did not manage to drum up much enthusiasm among the locals, which is fair given their plummeting popularity in the US.
New Yorkers' indifference to the Sussexes
The event took place at the Project Healthy Minds gathering in Hudson Yards, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle participated in a panel discussion addressing mental wellness in the digital age. While one might expect a royal visit to draw a crowd, the Hudson Yards area remained devoid of any admirers during the couple's arrival and departure. In fact, when asked for their thoughts on Harry and Meghan's visit, many New Yorkers responded with indifference.
One local resident, 22-year-old Karla Mendez from the Bronx, expressed her indifference, saying exclusively to the Daily Express US, 'I mean if I get to see them it’s cool, but I didn’t know they were here.' Her sentiment seemed to echo that of the majority, as the black SUVs parked outside the venue failed to elicit much interest among tourists and locals alike.
As per The Mirror, it was only in May of the same year when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last visited New York for the Ms. Foundation 50th-anniversary gala, an event marked by a near-catastrophic car chase with paparazzi. This time around, the couple's security was far more adept at maintaining a low profile as they entered and exited the venue. This is a stark contrast to Harry's brother, Prince William - who is ranked among the most popular public figures in the United States.
Nonetheless, there was at least one devoted royal enthusiast present. A. McGinniss, an author hailing from New Jersey, shared her admiration for the royal family, stating, 'I’ve always been a royal watcher. I’m blown away by their whole story. I’m a big fan of the whole family.'
However, even she conceded that Prince Harry and Meghan did not draw a substantial crowd during their visit, remarking, 'There was nobody there. I’ve been here for almost six or seven hours now, and it was very chill. Everybody seemed very respectful and willing to give them space.'
As she told The Express, McGinniss's primary purpose for attending the event was to capture a photo of the Duke and Duchess for her new book titled 10 Lessons from Harry and Meghan.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle concluded their visit to Hudson Yards after approximately two hours, during which they engaged in discussions on building community and fostering positive change online for young people. They were joined by the US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, for these dialogues.
Harry and Meghan on parental issues
This appearance marked Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first significant public engagement since the Invictus Games in Germany, which concluded last month. On World Mental Health Day, they took part in an emotional panel discussion with parents in New York City, where they highlighted their role as parents to their children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.
The couple used the platform to address the challenges faced by parents in the digital age, particularly in relation to their children's social media use. The panel featured parents who had experienced tragic losses connected to their child’s online activities. It was revealed that Meghan and Harry had been working behind the scenes with these parents in the lead-up to the event, offering their support and insights, as per PEOPLE.
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