They have deliberately kept a low profile since arriving in LA, but Prince Harry and Meghan plan to become more visible soon, and specifically to get involved in the Black Lives Matter movement.
The couple is already speaking with community leaders and activists and plan to make public some of the work they have been doing behind the scenes. Sources close to the couple say that they are committed to taking action, and are in the process of working with a number of organizations to work out how they can help and put a spotlight on the movement that is gathering support around the world.
The couple, who have spent the past ten weeks supporting their various charities while in lockdown during coronavirus, now plan to shift much of their focus to organizations dedicated to racial justice. “This scenario has weighed heavily on them both and is taking up a lot of their time and energy,” said a source close to the couple. “Expect to see a shift of their focus onto the campaign over the coming days and weeks.”
The source continued, “The conversations they are having are private, but they plan to make public some of their ongoing discussions and the work they have been doing behind the scenes. At the moment it’s a learning exercise so that they can work out how to help. They’re taking advice from lots of organizations. This is something they both care about and it’s something that really matters to them.”
The movement has especially resonated with Meghan, who has spoken and written publicly about the challenges she has faced as a biracial woman. During a tour of South Africa last year she addressed a crowd of South Africans, “On one personal note, may I just say that while I am here with my husband, as a member of the royal family, I want you to know that for me, I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color, and as your sister.”
“They come to this from different perspectives, but they are united in wanting to do something,” the source added. “Meghan particularly felt that she couldn’t just sit back and watch this without saying or doing anything. This has weighed very heavily on her and she wants to be involved. She has a platform and she wants to use it for good.”
Last week the Duchess recorded a video message for graduates of the Immaculate Heart School, her alma mater, in which she addressed the ongoing protests over the death of George Floyd. Admitting that she was nervous, she said, “I wasn’t sure what I could say to you. I wanted to say the right thing and I was really nervous that it would get picked apart. And I realized the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing.”
She remains the only member of the royal family to speak out about the protests, but sources close to Meghan say she felt duty-bound to speak out and sees herself as a role model to people of color around the world. “There will always be online bigots and racists, but Meghan isn’t dwelling on the negative,“ said the source. “This is about wanting to help and trying to work out how best to do so.”
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