Prince Harry and Meghan Markle honour Princess Diana in LA at preschool visit
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have used a visit to a Los Angeles preschool to pay tribute to Prince Harry’s late mum, and get their hands dirty in the process.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spent the 23rd anniversary of Princess Diana’s death planting her favourite flowers in Los Angeles.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a surprise visit to the Assistance League of Los Angeles Preschool Learning Center, where they have previously volunteered, for the anniversary, where the couple got dirty planting forget-me-nots with children.
Photos shared by the Center via Twitter show the relaxed-looking couple, who wore face masks throughout the visit, depotting flowers, digging in the garden with trowels, and encouraging the children to help out.
According to the couple’s royal biographer Omid Scobie, the couple then sung nursery rhymes and read books about gardening and vegetables.
Forget-me-nots have featured heavily in the couple’s life, both in Meghan’s wedding bouquet, and in the couple’s first Mother’s Day post to Instagram shared after the birth of the couple’s one-year-old son, Archie.
Princess Diana died in Paris on august 31, when she was just 36 years old.
Following the visit, the Center tweeted, “The children of our Preschool Learning Center got a wonderful surprise when The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited yesterday. In addition to helping the children replant the Preschool Learning Center’s garden, they spent time with them, sharing their appreciation for nature and helping to instil the importance of healthy eating. We truly appreciate their time and care for our students.”
The visit came just days after Prince Harry opened up on his new life in America, describing the move from Britain as “fantastic”.
“I’m loving it, it’s fantastic,” he said during a Zoom call with staff and volunteers from the British Rugby Football League.
The prince was speaking from his palatial Los Angeles mansion in recognition of Rugby league’s 125th anniversary in the UK.
But the royal did admit that he has encountered a few sports-related problems since moving to the US.
“What I need is a few mini rugby balls that I can then get Archie involved with the game because at the moment it’s impossible to find any. But I’ve got a little bit of space outside which we’re fortunate enough to have, so I need to get him playing some rugby league,” he said.
“But I am just unbelievably fortunate and grateful to have outdoor space and see my son be able to be outside because I know so many people just haven’t had that opportunity in the last five months.”
🥳👠After yesterday's amazing 'set of six' with his special guests, today, we see the roles reversed, as The Duke of Sussex is quizzed by Ellery Hanley MBE in 'Extra Time'!
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) August 30, 2020
🎂 #HappyBirthdayRugbyLeague #RFL125 pic.twitter.com/sZleOXtDHW
Prince Harry also opened up about his and wife Meghan’s plans going forward, while also revealing what he and his wife call Archie.
“Our little man is our number one priority but then our work after that is the second priority and we’re just doing everything we can to do our part to make the world a better place.”
The royal also added that he was “constantly aware of people who are “stuck in high rise blocks of flats and can’t even see outside space” adding that “these last five months play a huge part in the next five-10 years as far as mental health is concerned”.
“You may be fine, you may have a garden, you may have a space, you may be feeling wow this is really hard, but take that moment and go, ‘Wow, if it’s hard for me, how must it be for other people as well,’” he said.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan are set to be offered a million-dollar mega deal with Spotify to produce exclusive podcasts, it’s been reported.
The couple could record chats about their lifestyle as part of a new tie-up with the music streaming giant.
Sources say bosses at the platform are prepared to make a seven-figure offer, the Sun reports.
Spotify recently signed former US First Lady Michelle Obama, who has since recorded a series of podcasts touching on topics ranging from friendships to the coronavirus pandemic.
Insiders at Spotify reportedly said that Meghan will be able to “name her price”.
“Of course, money is no object,” the source is reported to have said.
“Meghan Markle will be more or less able to name her price for exclusively working with them on a podcast series.
“The Duke and Duchess have been on their hit list for a while.
“A detailed proposal is set to be presented to Meghan’s US agent in a matter of weeks.”
Spotify, which is worth around $A40 billion, has 120 million subscribers worldwide.
WILLIAM, HARRY’S POIGNANT TRIBUTE TO DIANA
Princes William and Harry have come together and asked the public to remember their mother’s “life and her legacy” ahead of the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.
The brothers, who have been on “different paths” in recent years, issued a rare joint statement on Friday (local time).
The devoted sons provided an update on the progress of a statue that was commissioned on the 20th anniversary of their mother’s death in 2017.
The statue, to be placed in the gardens at Kensington Palace, has been delayed until July 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The statement said: “The statue that Prince William and Prince Harry have commissioned to commemorate their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, will be installed next year on what would have been her 60th birthday.
“The statue was commissioned to mark the twentieth anniversary of her death and recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world.”
Princess Diana, who was tragically killed in a high speed car crash in Paris while being pursued by paparazzi on August 31, 1997, was a noted humanitarian.
Prince Harry literally followed in his mother’s footsteps last year when he visited a minefield in Huambo, Angola, where she had famously risked her life to highlight the dangers of landmines.
A world wide treaty was signed in the months following Princess Diana’s death and has been seen as one of her lasting legacies.
She was a tireless advocate for health causes, transforming the world’s view of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
The statement from the Princes continued: “The statue will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on 1st July 2021, marking The Princess’s 60th birthday.
“The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy.”
Prince William, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and their three children live in Kensington Palace, part of which is open to the public for tours.
A children’s playground nearby Kensington Palace, and open to the public, has been dedicated to Princess Diana.
Prince Harry has moved to America with his wife Meghan and their son Archie, one, recently buying a home in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, California.
The couple has stepped back from royal duties but maintain active on social issues, with Meghan saying last week that she was proud Prince Harry was a “feminist.”
KATE REVEALS INFORMAL EMAIL SIGNATURE
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton has given us a glimpse into her personality by showing off an email written to the judges of her Hold Still portrait contest.
Taking to Kensington Royal Twitter account, the 38-year-old Duchess shared an email hinting about the final 100 photographs picked to feature in the Hold Still exhibition – a campaign she spearheaded which aims to capture a portrait of Britain amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“An email was sent yesterday … Eyes#HoldStill2020,” the tweet read, following a snapshot of a personal email sent by Kate.
An email was sent yesterday...👀#HoldStill2020 pic.twitter.com/0FmSQwVj3A
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) August 28, 2020
“Dear judges, I am thrilled we have chosen the final 100 portraits,” she wrote.
“I thought you might like to see the images all together so please find them attached.
“I couldn’t have done it without you so thank you so much for your help. C.”
Royal watchers said the sign-off revealed that Kate was eschewing formality and connecting with the wider public.
It comes just weeks after Prince William made the same informal move and signed off with “W”.
At the end of June, the prince enthused about soccer returning in the UK amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Taking to the Kensington Palace Twitter account, Prince William wrote: “So good to have football back, we have all missed it! Thank you to everyone involved for your hard work in making it happen. W.”
“Don’t know why, but the initial ‘W’ looks and sounds very regal and Kinglike!” wrote one royal fan, while a second said: “We would like a picture of William in front of the TV with his Aston Villa shirt on as his birthday picture please. Thanks.”
Prince William and Kate have been a constant public presence in Britain during the coronavirus pandemic, only increasing their popularity further.
– with staff writers
Originally published as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle honour Princess Diana in LA at preschool visit