Podcast 106 – Meghan Markle & Prince Harry with children on Day 2 of their visit to New York City

Day 2 of Meghan and Harry’s working visit to New York City started off with a visit with some of the City’s young children,   with Meghan and Harry receiving and dispensing lots of hugs. The couple joined NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter at the P.S. 123 Mahalia Jackson Elementary School in Harlem. The stated aim of the visit was to promote early literacy. 

As Meghan and Harry arrived at the school's playground they were asked how their children, Archie and Lili were doing. "They're good!" Meghan responded adding that Lili was beautiful and giving a thumbs up for Archie. 

Meghan and Harry’s visit mostly took place outside in the sunshine on the playground and under a marquee. They viewed a flower power mural painted by fourth and fifth grade pupils. The school children swamped Harry and Meghan reaching out for hugs from them both. 

Meghan read her book "The Bench" to a group of mainly 2nd Grade schoolchildren gathered outside. Prince Harry joined the kids on the ground, sitting among them as Meghan read.

Meghan explained that she had dedicated her book to "the man and the boy who make her heart go pump-pump," and she told the children that the phrase came from teaching her then 2-year-old son Archie how the heart works. She also explained to the children the idea of representation saying she wanted everyone to be included in her book.

Asked by one of the students if she planned to write another book,  Meghan said: “At the moment I don’t plan to write another children’s book, but never say never.”  The students were all given a copy of her book to take home.

The children had drawn pink paper hearts with their personal stories and dedications on them and Meghan went through these and engaged with the students by name.

Meghan and Harry had been shown around the school by Principal Melitina Hernandez. Meghan and Harry donated two garden boxes filled with vegetables and herb planters to support the school's ongoing community efforts and support the need for fresh food. 

Through Meghan and Harry's Archewell Foundation's partnership with Proctor & Gamble, they are also providing health products for families at the school as well as a washing machine and dryer for students' uniforms.

Harry was very relaxed as he always is around children and it was cute seeing him sitting cross-legged amongst the children engrossed in Meghan reading her story.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili. You can reach out to me through my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/ and through twitter https://twitter.com/JeanetteSongolo

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/