It’s been three weeks since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex dropped the royal bombshell they were planning to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and split their time between the UK and North America and it seems they’re already looking to support the causes in their new home country, Canada.
Taking to their Instagram stories, Harry and Meghan shared a number of images encouraging people to be kind to each other and provide supportive environments for people to feel comfortable talking about their mental health.
The stories posted to @SussexRoyal were shared to mark Bell Let’s Talk Day, an initiative championed by Canadian telecommunications company Bell Canada to promote awareness and action towards fighting the stigma surrounding mental health, improving access to care, supporting world-class research and leading by example in workplace mental health.
The Sussexes’ are already getting behind important causes in their new home country, Canada. (Image: Getty)
On Bell Let’s Talk Day, for every view on Bell Let’s Talk’s official video across their social media platforms or the use of the #BellLetsTalk hashtag, Bell will donate five cents towards Canadian mental health initiatives.
Following the Sussexes’ show of support for the campaign, Bell thanked Harry and Meghan on Instagram with a screenshot of their stories writing: “We can’t thank The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enough for their support for mental health and #BellLetsTalk today!”
Since the launch of the one-day campaign at the time of writing their official video has already amassed an astounding 100 million interactions so far, which would be equivalent to $5 million Canadian dollars – last year they were able to raise $7.2 million (CAD).
You can contribute by watching their video below. Story continues below…
The move shows the royal couple is wasting no time getting to know their community in their new home country. Earlier this month Meghan made private visits to a women’s centre in Vancouver, Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre and Justice for Girls, a charity which provides young women in need with advocacy and education services.
Harry and Meghan will completely step back from all royal duties this spring (New Zealand’s autumn) and will split their time between Canada and their UK home Frogmore Cottage at Windsor.
The couple’s move will also see them no longer receive public funding and no longer have the ability to use their royal styling ‘HRH’.
WATCH: Prince Harry shares ‘the truth’ about his and Meghan’s exit from royal life. Story continues below…
Following a crisis meeting between the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry, the monarch released a rare, personal statement supporting the Sussexes’ decision to step back.
While it’s believed early discussions had been underway behind closed doors over the past few months, the timing of the Sussexes’ announcement is said to have been a shock to even the Palace.
“I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family,” Queen Elizabeth wrote in her statement, ten days after the news broke.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family. I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.”
She also thanked them for their dedicated work across the country, Commonwealth and beyond, adding she was “particularly proud” of Meghan for becoming one of the family so quickly.
Earlier this week The Crown‘s go-to historian Robert Lacey told Hello! he believes the Queen will turn to her granddaughters Princess Beatrice and Eugenie to be brought forward and take over some of the Sussexes’ responsibilities when they depart.
“It’s quite clear that one of the consequences is that Beatrice and Eugenie will now be brought forward – if they’re willing to be brought forward,” Lacey told the publication.
“If two go out, two have got to come in, and those have got to be Beatrice and Eugenie. I’m sure they will step forward and be greatly welcomed.”
It remains to be seen what the Monarch will decide, particularly as both Beatrice, 31, and Eugenie, 29, have full-time jobs outside of the Royal Family, but it is of course highly possible we’ll start to see them undertaking more royal engagements in the near future.
