It's high time someone considered the residents of New York. The city that never sleeps appears to be transforming into the city that can't seem to shake off members of the Royal family using their city as a backdrop for their self-serving agendas. I'm not referring to William's recent visit, which we discussed last month.
William's trip was a resounding success, as he participated in the Earthshot initiative, addressing the climate crisis, and even going for a jog in Central Park. A few months prior, we couldn't forget when Harry and Meghan made their visit to New York, primarily for Meghan to accept a self-funded award.
They also claimed to be involved in a near-catastrophic car chase, which turned out to be a gross exaggeration. The following day, the news focused on Meghan and Harry's meeting with a few Royal faces, overshadowing Meghan's award or dress.
Now, New York seems to be in the spotlight again, but not for the right reasons. Last Friday, People magazine reported that the Archewell Foundation is hosting its first in-person event in three years. Megan and Harry launched Archewell, purportedly a charitable organization, but it has yet to make a meaningful impact.
On October 10th, in honor of World Mental Health Day, they plan to host the Archewell Foundation Parent Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age. While discussing mental health is important, the key here is that William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are also hosting a World Mental Health Day event on the same day in Birmingham. This creates an interesting and potentially awkward situation, pitting the two couples against each other in a very public way.
This clash is something the Royal establishment has tried to avoid. Nobody wanted to see a showdown between brothers, both vying for the same territory. After Megxit and before the pandemic, there were concerns that the Sussexes might overshadow the Cambridges, appearing more exciting and glamorous. However, those worries turned out to be unfounded as Megan and Harry struggled to make a significant impact. In contrast, William and Catherine's initiatives, such as Earthshot and Early Years, have solidified their positions as effective philanthropists.
On October 10th, both couples have scheduled events on the same issue, creating a unique situation. The outcome of this event could have a profound effect on the public's perception of Megan and Harry, who have been criticized for their limited charity work thus far. It's an opportunity for them to redefine their reputation, although nothing is guaranteed. One factor working in the Sussexes' favor is the involvement of well-known personalities in their event, such as TV host Carson Daly and Anderson Cooper, who interviewed Harry before the release of "Spare." This could elevate their event's profile.
The important question is whether Megan and Harry are genuinely ramping up their charity efforts, learning from their past mistakes. Are they finally on the path to making a meaningful impact? Or will William and Catherine outshine them, leaving the Sussexes looking ineffective? It's a race to see who can make the most meaningful and important contributions, and the world is watching.
