Highlights from Prince Harry’s Personal Visit to New York City

Prince Harry is making the most of his recent trip to New York City.

Nearly a year after his last visit to the city with his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duke of Sussex landed in New York on Sunday, September 22, for a solo trip.

A representative for Harry disclosed that he would engage in activities aimed at promoting various patronages and philanthropic causes. His agenda includes participation in events with organizations like African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Awards, and Travalyst.

Additionally, he aims to advance the mission of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit he co-founded with Meghan.

Although Harry’s visit was centered on important causes, he kept his family close to heart during various engagements. Here are some of the touching moments from his trip to the East Coast.

Speaking at The Diana Award panel on Monday, September 23, Harry recognized the efforts of young change-makers. He expressed pride in their courage and eloquence, stating, “I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys… all of the award winners.”

The Diana Award was established in memory of Princess Diana following her passing in 1997, with a mission to empower young people to drive change through various initiatives. Each year, it honors 20 recipients as Legacy Award winners.

During an event for The HALO Trust, Harry reflected on how fatherhood has shaped his perspective on certain causes. “Much has changed in my life and the world since 2019 when I first visited [Angola]… I do know that my mother would have been horrified that anyone’s children or grandchildren would live in a world still infested with mines,” he remarked.

Before presenting at the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit on Monday, Harry took a moment to connect with his family via FaceTime. Reports indicate that he gave his children a mini tour of the event space, making the moment even more special.

At the Clinton Global Initiative on September 24, Harry launched The Archewell Foundation Parents Network, where he addressed the dangers social media poses to children. “Some will say, ‘Kids will be kids. They will get into trouble,’” he joked, eliciting laughter from the audience. However, he stressed the seriousness of this issue, asserting that the online world is specifically designed to capture children’s attention in harmful ways.

He cautioned the audience about social media’s “pervasive threat,” urging that the current status quo is unsustainable. “I never grew up with a phone,” he said, acknowledging the challenges today’s children face. “Young people are kept there by mindless, endless, numbing, scrolling, force-fed content that no child should ever be exposed to,” he emphasized.

Harry also made heartfelt statements about his ongoing efforts to assist children through his charity, Sentebale. He reiterated the charity’s commitment to providing educational opportunities and support to youth grappling with HIV, gender-based violence, poverty, and mental health issues.

He highlighted the added burden of social stigma these young people face, stating they are “suffering in silence” needlessly. “We must be brave,” Harry insisted. He emphasized the importance of helping children and breaking the cycles of trauma that many endure.

Harry pointed out that mental health care is essential, not a luxury. “Let us commit to ensuring that every child is given the chance to develop their full potential,” he urged the audience. “No matter how hard life becomes, we simply have to protect our children’s future. … Together we can and will make it happen.”

Source: news sources