Kind thoughts for Meghan Markle

Remembrance Sunday is the UK’s version of Remembrance Days or Veterans Days that take place in other countries all around the world.  The UK ceremonies are held at local war memorials in most towns and cities, where wreaths of remembrance poppies are laid on the memorials, and a two minutes' silence is held at 11.00 a.m. followed by the ringing of church bells. 

The royal family generally attend at a ceremony held in London. Prince Harry would normally have attended the service but was not present this year. There is speculation his request to lay a wreath at the service at the cenotaph was denied by palace courtiers, because of the fact that he and Meghan stepped back as senior royals. 

Palace politics aside, nobody can take away the fact that Prince Harry is a veteran, having served in the armed forces for 10 years and having completed two tours of Afghanistan. Prince Harry continues to champion the plight of injured servicemen and servicewomen through his Invictus Games. 

This is at least the second time that Harry has participated in a DECLASSIFIED podcast.  The podcast was started in 2018 with the aim of 'declassifying' stigmas and perceptions around veteran’s mental fitness and wellbeing. The hosts talk in depth about hard hitting subjects subjects like post traumatic stress and physical injuries, and they try to provide hope, guidance, support, and help for individuals who are suffering from both mental and physical illness or injury. All the guests on the podcast are typically members of the military community.

Declassified recorded a Remembrance Day Special. About an hour long with lots of guests, including Prince Harry, both veterans and family members of veterans, and each speaking about the reality of November 11th and what it personally means to them. 

Here is a link to the DECLASSIFIED website where you can find their podcasts https://declassifiedpodcast.com/

Check out my blog for other Meghan, Harry and Archie posts and photos at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

Spoiler alert. If you are still reading or if you are planning to read Robert Lacey’s recently released book 'Battle of Brothers' you may want to hold off listening to this podcast. 

Lacey’s aim in this book is to tell us how it came to be that William and Harry who were once so close, are now seemingly estranged, calling his book "the most intimate vision yet of life behind closed doors, with its highs and lows, and the discretions laid bare, a journey in Royal life as never offered before."

I review the themes raised in the book and summarize why the author feels William and Harry have grown apart. The question remains will they reconcile?

If you have read the book, email me your thoughts to [email protected]

Check out my blog at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

Throughout history, kings and queens have rewarded those who have shown service, loyalty or gallantry with gifts or titles.

In 1917 the Queen's grandfather, George V, developed a new order of chivalry, called the Order of the British Empire, as a way of rewarding both men and women who had made an outstanding contribution to the WWI war effort. Nowadays the Order of the British Empire is given for a variety of reasons such as:

·        making a difference in your community or field of work

·        long-term voluntary service

·        innovation and entrepreneurship

·        improving life for people less able to help themselves and 

·        displaying moral courage

Honours are also given to people involved in various fields including:

·        arts and media

·        health

·        sport

·        education

·        science and technology and 

·        business and the economy

Karen Gibson was included in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List. So, who is Karen Gibson? 

Most of us know her as the vivacious lady who conducted her choir, The Kingdom Choir, through a gospel take of the 1960’s Ben E King song 'Stand by Me' at Meghan and Harry Royal Wedding. But there is a lot more to Karen and to her career than this one appearance. 

Meghan and Harry’s wedding was not the first royal gig for the Kingdom Choir. In 2000, The Kingdom Choir won a religious music competition organized by UK BBC Radio 2. In 2002 they were nominated for best U.K. choir at the Oasis Gospel Awards; that year, they were invited to perform at Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.  They would go on to perform for Bill Clinton and Desmond Tutu, and the choir has performed alongside the likes of Elton John, The Spice Girls, and Luther Vandross.

The wedding performance opened up new opportunities for Karen and choir. They signed a record deal, went of tours, posted loads of you tube videos, and were involved with TV ads including the 2018 Christmas Coca Cola ad., when the choir re-recorded the anthem Wonderful Dream (Holidays Are Coming).  

Karen is well deserving of her MBE for services to music. Speaking to the UK Mirror newspaper Karen describes it as a surprise and a shock but a tremendous honour adding it means such a lot. 

Karen says it is wonderful to be celebrated for the work that she has done for years and years, when she thought nobody was looking. She remains quite humble saying there are a thousand other people out there who are more worthy than she. 

Well Done Karen!

Remember to check out my blog at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

Just released this past week was a GQ Magazine video sit down between two very down to earth dads. Prince Harry and Patrick Hutchinson.

By way of introduction, Patrick came to the attention of the worlds’ media this past June when he was captured by photographer Dylan Martinez, stepping in to a melee at a racial protest gathering in London in the UK and fireman lifting a man out of the fray and stopping the man being trampled and seriously harmed.

So why the fuss you might ask. Well Patrick is a proud black man and the man he rescued out of harms way was an equally proud white man BUT with each of them having polar opposite views on racial equality.

The photo captured what has been called a “defining moment” in the middle of this years Black Lives Matter protests in London, becoming a symbol of hope that things can be better if everyone unites.  

Harry and Patrick had an open and frank discussion on such topics as: 

• Who was the man behind these now iconic photos? 
• How did Patrick's act of heroism come about?
• A general talk about the push for racial equality and unconscious bias.
• How social media and big corps. need to push the right narrative.

Patrick spoke about how he and his friends are using the platform that this public attention has brought to do some good in their local community. They have started an initiative called UTCAI -  United to Change and Inspire. https://www.utcai.co.uk/

For more news stories about Harry, Meghan and Archie check out my blog at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

Meghan and Harry came under a lot of flack for keeping the birth of Archie private and for foregoing the ‘tradition’ of parading their new-born baby, within hours of his birth, before the world’s media on the steps of the hospital. 

Since Archie’s birth, Meghan and Harry have made it clear that they wish to raise Archie away from the pomp and ceremony of Royal life, forgoing giving Archie a Royal title, shielding him away from prying camera lenses save and except for a handful of occasions, and suing paparazzi who try to encroach on what Meghan and Harry see as Archie’s right to privacy. 

• Does it really do so much harm to allow the press the odd photo op here and there? 
• What is it really like to be raised as a Royal child?

A look back in the recent history of the Royal Family shows us that the Royal Family are not averse to using their children as public relations tools, as a means of shoring up the public’s opinion of the institution. Recently we saw a more strategic (public relations) use of the Royal kids to promote a Royal cause.

We know at least from Prince Harry’s own experiences that he did not like being exposed to the press as a child. It caused him to dislike the media, something that has carried over into his adult life. And nobody will ever forget how Princess Diana died. 

Shouldn’t the Royal Family be sheltering the Royal kids as much as possible from the being in the public eye, at least until they are a bit older to really understand what the Royal Family is, and when they are old enough understand what their roles are?

Whilst people may not agree with Meghan and Harry’s decision to shelter Archie from public attention, at least we should appreciate where this choice comes from.  

Keep looking out for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry and Archie,  and check out my blog at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

Meghan and Harry hosted an edition of the TIME100 Talks series. The theme of their discussion was “Engineering a Better World,” to talk about working towards online communities that are more compassionate, safe, and trustworthy. 

The episode featured a range of guests.

There were discussions with:

• Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, 
• Center for Humane Technology president and co-founder Tristan Harris, 
• Author and co-director of the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry Safiya U. Noble, 
• Disinformation researcher Renée DiResta and 
• Maria Ressa who is CEO and executive of the Philippines based new site, Rappler.

There were also segments in-between, highlighting the work of:

• Jaj Austin, founder of Somewhere Good a social platform designed for people of color to connect; the teen hosts of the podcast Teenager Therapy; and Rachel Cargle, activist and founder of The Loveland Foundation a non-profit which offers therapy for black women and girls. 

A lot was covered in the 2 hour talk - too much to cover in depth in this podcast, so I have included a link to the recording https://time.com/collection/time100-talks/

I highlight the 9 or so take away points from the discussions and chat about how we are urged to take back control of our technology devices.

You can also find the link to Meghan and Harry's TIME100 Talk through my blog. https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2309149920642058865/1386010357380846398

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

Unlike the males in the Royal Family, both Meghan and Kate are subject to a lot of public scrutiny about the outfits and the jewellery that they wear. No doubt both Meghan and Kate would prefer that the attention be on what they do and what they say, as opposed to what they wear. 

Meghan has learned to use the attention she gets to highlight Sustainable Fashion. 

So why do people feel it is important to champion sustainable fashion? What is Sustainable Fashion?

The Sustainable Fashion movement believes that fashion companies should accomplish or strive to accomplish goals such as: supporting local production; prolonging the lifecycle of materials; and reducing the harm to the environment created as a result of production and consumption. 

Meghan’s focus has been a mixture of purchasing items that are made from recycled materials, as well as wearing clothes made by designers or brands that either promote gender equity or who have strong social missions.

I take a look at a few of the sustainable brands that Meghan has shopped from, including the Tracy Reese brand, https://hopeforflowers.com/

There are a couple of things that make me think about  how I make my own clothing purchases. A visit to my husbands family in Africa always reminds me of how good we have it here in North America and in Europe. Meghan also has made me thing twice about my clothing purchases. 

Keep looking out for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry and Archie.

And check out my blog at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

Meghan was interviewed for the second time this year as part of the FORTUNE Most Powerful Women series of conferences. This conference was a Next Gen Summit and was aimed at high achieving female young executives, ready for the next step along their career paths. On this occasion Meghan met with FORTUNE associate editor Emma Hinchliffe. They discussed all things leadership. Topics covered included:

• Leading without fear / having the courage of your convictions
• Restrictions on being heard
• Responsible use of social media
• The effects of motherhood on leadership decisions

Also,

The podcasters from Teenager Therapy posted on their Twitter account to thank Meghan and Harry for taking the time to meet with them and for participating in their National Mental Health Day Podcast

The teenagers also took the opportunity to correct tabloid media reports of the event. The teenagers posted that the podcast wasn't recorded at Meghan and Harry’s personal home saying, "Every article that claims this is wrong."

This was somewhat embarrassing for certain tabloids including the UK’s Daily Mail (online addition). The Daily Mail had published an article with a photograph of the room where the podcast was recorded, somewhat flippantly critiquing what they thought were Harry and Meghan’s home furnishings. See the photo with this podcast. 

Please email me your comments and ideas at: [email protected]

And check out my blog at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on the 11th of October. Launched in 2012 by the United Nations, the main aim of the day is to promote girls empowerment and fulfilment of their human rights, while also highlighting the challenges that girls face all over the world. 

The theme for the 2020 Day of the Girl was “My Voice, Our Equal Future”. 

Meghan's long term commitment in advocating for the rights of women and girls is reflected not only in her words but through her actions. 

This year Harry and Meghan met up with Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. Malala is the co-founder of the Malala Fund. The strategic aim of the Malala Fund is to see by 2025, a substantial increase in well-educated girls in the countries where the fund works, improved and better-financed education systems, and communities that offer girls equal opportunities to learn and actively support their ambitions.

Malala’s dedication to girls education comes from her own experiences as a girl growing up in Pakistan. Of starting school then being banned by the Taliban from attending school when she was 11 years-old. Then becoming an advocate for girls education and being shot in 2012. 

In 2014 Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work. 

Malala chose to stay in the UK with her family. She resumed her own education and in 2018 began studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford.  She graduated this year. 

The International Day of the Girl conversation with Malala, Meghan and Harry covered topics such as:

• The importance of education in Meghan and Harry's own lives;
• Why Meghan feels that it is important to advocate for girl's education;
• Did Harry see a link between educating girls and climate change?;
• The impact of Covid-19 on their own lives and on girl's education.

Check out my blog at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com 

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/

To mark World National Mental Health Day Meghan and Harry joined a special edition podcast by Teenager Therapy to chat about all things mental health.

World Mental Health Day occurs annually on October the 10th, to bring attention to global mental health education, mental health awareness and advocacy against social stigma. The event was first celebrated in 1992 following an initiative by the World Federation for Mental Health, an organization represented in over 150 countries around the world. 

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is - Mental Health for All - Greater Investment – Greater Access

The group that make up the podcasters known as Teenager Therapy are from Anaheim in California. The group started the podcast in 2018 and within a few months of releasing their first episode they had achieved over 100,000 downloads. By the end of September 2020 they had recorded their 100th episode. 

As well as having a presence on Instagram and Twitter, the teens have expanded onto You Tube and have their own web-site.

The group of teenagers came to the attention of The New York Times. Journalist Taylor Lorenz penned an article about them and their podcast this past July. According to journalist Omid Scobie, Meghan and Harry learned about Teenager Therapy through the NY Times article. "Meghan and Harry then listened to a few episodes and were so impressed with the show and the grace and honesty of the young hosts that they knew immediately that they wanted to support their important work.”

I tuned in to listen to the World Mental Health Day episode and summarise their conversation. Link to the full podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversation-prince-harry-meghan-duke-duchess-sussex/id1437039510?i=1000494273871

The discussion is full of insights and shared experiences. It is good that these teens are opening up about things that concern them without feeling any stigma.

Maybe this next generation will wonder what us 'older people' were so hung up about when it came to discussing our mental health. 

Check out my blog at www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/