The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have landed in Amman for a semi-official trip, marking their first international engagement in nearly two years. On this visit, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will meet celebrity chef José Andrés and explore his World Central Kitchen projects.
Return to International Engagements
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle resumed their global work with this carefully planned visit to Jordan. Since stepping back from official royal duties, their previous trips included tours to Nigeria and Colombia in 2024. Their current itinerary closely mirrors traditional royal visits, with an emphasis on humanitarian aid and international collaboration, much like Prince William's recent trip to Saudi Arabia.
Meeting with Dr. Tedros Adhanom and Humanitarian Discussions
The visit was initiated by an invitation from Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of the World Health Organization. According to the BBC, the couple participated in a roundtable discussion at the WHO headquarters in Amman. Topics focused on humanitarian efforts supporting populations affected by conflicts and forced displacements.
Visits to Refugee Camps and Local Initiatives
Harry and Meghan also toured the Za’atari refugee camp in northern Jordan, visiting the Questscope youth program center. Their trip included stops at initiatives funded by the Archewell Foundation, such as programs that assist children injured in the Gaza conflict by facilitating medical evacuations to Jordan.
Highlight: World Central Kitchen and José Andrés
A major highlight of the visit was the couple’s opportunity to meet celebrity chef José Andrés at the regional headquarters of World Central Kitchen (WCK). The Spanish chef, who founded WCK, has a long-standing relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex dating back to 2020. Since then, José Andrés has been a key supporter of Archewell and even appeared on the second season of Meghan’s cooking show, With Love, Meghan.
During the visit, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry discussed how World Central Kitchen continues to provide food aid during the Gaza war. The couple’s engagement with José Andrés and WCK underscores their commitment to humanitarian initiatives while demonstrating a model of philanthropic collaboration that bridges their semi-official royal status with global impact.
Quasi-Royal Tours and Media Response
This trip marks Harry and Meghan’s return to so-called “quasi-royal tours,” which some British media outlets have criticized as emulating official royal trips without representing the monarchy. Nonetheless, the couple’s agenda focused on meaningful humanitarian work and building partnerships with organizations like World Central Kitchen.
Past International Visits
Harry and Meghan’s international engagements began with invitations from host governments. In May 2024, they traveled to Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games and raise awareness about mental health. In August 2024, they toured Colombia at the invitation of Vice President Francia Márquez, addressing social issues such as cyberbullying and youth empowerment. This Jordan visit continues their focus on humanitarian missions with lasting impact.
Key Takeaways
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have returned to international semi-official visits in Jordan.
- Their agenda includes humanitarian discussions, refugee camp visits, and local initiatives supported by Archewell.
- A major highlight was the chance to meet celebrity chef José Andrés and discuss World Central Kitchen’s work in the Gaza region.
- The couple’s visit reflects a continuation of “quasi-royal tours,” combining royal influence with philanthropic work.
- Harry and Meghan’s Jordan trip strengthens their ongoing commitment to humanitarian aid and international partnerships.
Overall, this visit demonstrates how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry continue to leverage their global profile for humanitarian causes while maintaining strong connections with allies like José Andrés. Royals in Jordan: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry meet celebrity chef José Andrés, reinforcing the impact of charitable initiatives supported by their foundation and partners.
By choosing to meet celebrity chef José Andrés, the Duke and Duchess highlight the importance of food aid and humanitarian support during global crises, strengthening both their philanthropic presence and international engagement.
