Fresh from their private two-day visit to Jordan, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have wasted no time getting back to work, sharing exciting news from their California home in Montecito.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped away from their official royal duties in 2020, continue to earn recognition for their philanthropic efforts through Archewell. Their latest announcement comes at an interesting time, as public support for their potential return to royal duties appears to be growing.
With the ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew casting a shadow over the monarchy, many royal watchers have been vocal about wanting to see Harry and Meghan take on some form of official role again. The couple’s recent overseas engagements have reminded supporters of the unique energy they brought to the royal family.
Despite the speculation about their future with the monarchy, the Sussexes remain focused on their current projects. They’re using their platform to spotlight women making a difference in the digital world, specifically those working to create safer and more equitable online spaces.
This week, Harry and Meghan announced Dr. Mary Anne Franks as the recipient of the fifth annual NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award. Franks, a respected legal scholar and author, is being recognized for her work examining how technology can both protect and potentially threaten fundamental freedoms.
In their announcement, Archewell emphasized that “protecting civil rights in the digital age is essential to protecting them everywhere” – a sentiment that reflects the couple’s ongoing commitment to this cause.
The timing of this announcement has sparked fresh commentary about what the Sussexes could have brought to the monarchy. Royal journalist Chris Ship pointed to their Jordan visit as evidence that Harry and Meghan continue to operate much like working royals. He noted that the royal family is missing what he called the “Meghan magic” – the diversity and fresh perspective she brought as a biracial American woman.
Ship suggested that Meghan offered something unique that no other royal could provide, making the family’s loss of her contributions all the more significant given the circumstances of their departure.
About the Author
