Meghan Markle Goes Off-Script During New York Gala Outing — But for a Good Cause [Video]
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of suicide that some readers may find distressing.
On October 9, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were honored with the Humanitarians of the Year award at the Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were recognized for their efforts in creating a safer online community for youth. During their acceptance speech, Markle went off-script to highlight a powerful art installation unveiled by their Archewell Foundation. She drew the audience's attention to the young lives lost to cyberbullying before returning to her prepared speech.
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As Markle explained her work, she took a moment to talk about the installation unveiled by her Foundation in April. She told the crowd, "If you do get a chance, I will go off-script here, to see the Lost Screen Memorial and hear many of their children's stories tomorrow, I think it will resonate with you, I hope it will resonate with you in the same way that it stayed with us." Gesturing toward the teleprompter, she continued, "If we can go back to where we were, good, thank you."
The Lost Screen Memorial, installed at Penn Station, comprises 50 large illuminated smartphones. Each smartphone moves to show a lock screen photo of a child who lost their life to suicide after cyberbullying.
Earlier this year, on April 23, the Duke and Duchess joined families of the lost children as they unveiled the memorial while calling for safer practices on social media. Markle said at the time, "No matter how polarized the world is or what people may or may not agree on, one thing that we can all agree on is that our children should be safe." Meanwhile, Harry, who was visibly emotional, heard stories from grieving parents over the last few years. He later told HuffPost, "I say that as a parent, and I say that as someone who’s spoken to many of the kids here tonight who are not on social media because they’ve lost a brother or a sister to social media. But clearly, enough is not enough."
By highlighting the Lost Screen Memorial during her speech, Markle reminded the audience that those children’s stories must not be forgotten. While on the topic of children on social media, the Duchess commented on her own children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and how quickly they were growing up. She shared, "Luckily, they’re still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming. Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits while safeguarding against its dangers."
For his part, Harry told the audience how their Archewell initiative, The Parents Network, supports families impacted by social media harm. Both Markle and Harry's remarks highlighted how their own parenting experience fuels their charitable endeavors in mental health. Later, they stopped by the annual World Mental Health Day Festival, where the Archewell Foundation held three panels.
If you are having thoughts about taking your own life, or know of anyone who is, please contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)