However, their seemingly innocent school visit took a darker turn when reports emerged of attempts to stifle discussions about the Sussexes' time at the school. Witnesses claimed that aides working for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex tried to silence not only teachers but also young pupils as young as five. This transpired at a school featured in the Netflix series, "The Bench," and was reported by The Sun.
According to sources, advisors from the Archewell Foundation made an unusual request, urging the Harlem School to sign a clause that effectively prohibited anyone from making negative comments or posts on social media, not only during the visit but also in the future. Representatives from Archewell have maintained that this was standard practice.
This incident highlights how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's team worked to protect their image. In another instance, they barred four British newspapers from attending an event at the World Trade Center, despite it being a publicly owned building. Planning for the Sussexes' trip began six months ahead of the event and was managed by Toyo Holness, a member of their PR team.
Archewell representatives contacted the Department of Education three days before the visit to Public School 123, requesting an appearance release that included the contentious clause. They also asked the department to consult with lawyers regarding this matter. An email exchange between New York City Schools press secretary Daniela Filson and Archewell members discussed the language used in the Department of Education's press release. Filson aimed to make it less promotional.
This incident raises concerns about the couple's approach to freedom of speech and their efforts to suppress criticism. It's noteworthy that Meghan has previously hired Bowsey to manage online comments and has been involved in initiatives such as Harry's work with the Aspen Institute and their participation in a consortium purchasing local newsrooms in the U.S. The attempt to silence schoolchildren has drawn significant criticism, especially considering that they charged these students, with a recommended donation of $5 each, for copies of Meghan's book, "The Bench."
This incident suggests that Harry and Meghan might not have been entirely content with the outcomes of their school visit if they felt the need to silence others. People are speaking out because they believe they were wronged, and it's essential to examine the implications of such actions by public figures.
