Royalty Takes on a New Meaning

Royalty Takes on a New Meaning

By:  Hope Wilkos, Writer     

       

The fairytale wedding of Prince Harry and Miss Meghan Markle will surely become one of the most notable events of 2018. With this magical union came a leap of faith for all young women across the globe, and with it, a promise that they too, can accomplish all their dreams and aspirations.

It is not only about the gorgeous Givenchy wedding gown designed by Clare Waight Keller, far more intricately made than its elegant and simple appearance. It’s not just about focusing on love-struck gazes by a British royal and an American princess. There is a more meaningful message behind these two passionate individuals.

Ever since his mother’s tragic death when he was only 12 years old, Prince Harry has gone through stages, sometimes wild and rebellious and other times self-composed and complacent. Because of the inner turmoil that he found himself coping with during young adulthood, Harry decided to channel those feelings and emotions in a positive way as he matured. Harry inherited his mother’s huge heart for helping others. Because of that courageous and admirable characteristic, he received the gift of Meghan Markle entering his life, a remarkable woman just as committed to changing lives as he is.

The Invictus Games and Heads Together are Harry’s most impassioned causes. Once a soldier in the British Army for 10 years and serving 2 tours in Afghanistan, the prince is all too familiar with the consequences and sacrifices of being a soldier. He created the Invictus Games which held their first-ever event in 2014, because, “disabilities should not define the individual.” The power of sport can inspire recovery and rehabilitation. Year after year this annual event has changed the lives of recovering soldiers through wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and indoor rowing. The support surrounding these games has only continued to expand and receive greater attention, as more and more veterans take part. Prince Harry was seen with his newfound love at this year’s Invictus Games, both excited to see each athletes’ endurance and determination.

Becoming co-founder with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, Harry has poured his heart and soul into Heads Together, a mental health initiative which sets out to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health issues. With constant campaigning and fundraising events such as the Virgin Money London Marathon, the foundation has had such success in helping those that require the assistance of its amazing programs. Perhaps one sentence says it best, helping others heal gives Harry the most joy and contentment. He has been quoted as saying; ”We hope to have as much impact on all the things we care about as possible.”

Meghan Markle has had her own set of challenges growing up in a bi-racial family. She was taught never to let that make her feel any different than everyone else. With parental guidance and the robust moral values that she has developed from her mom and dad, Meghan has been able to move mountains. At an early age, she thrust herself into the campaign for equality. She is a very powerful advocate for women’s rights and her confident attitude invokes action in those she touches with her gift of speech.  In 2015, Markle encouraged women to speak up for their values in a very moving speech at the United Nations. She will be remembered for a statement she summarized her thoughts with. “I am proud to be a woman and a feminist.” 

While attending prestigious Northwestern University, she interned at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires. She has served as Global Ambassador for World Vision, the largest international children’s charity. In 2016, Meghan traveled to Rwanda to take part in their clean water campaign and visit those affected within the country. She interacted with students, giving them hope for a brighter future. As a guest speaker for the One Young World Conference, a UK-based not-for-profit organization that serves as the global forum for young leaders, she stated that she put her foot down as an actress to her character being overly sexualized in her role on USA Network’s show, Suits.  Meghan has always believed and conveyed that self-love is the top priority to defining your individuality as a woman. World Vision has characterized Meghan Markle as a true humanitarian.

Today, becoming part of the royal family, Meghan has the potential to modernize the British Monarchy, a goal that Princess Diana had envisioned as her role many years ago when she became part of the family. Her activist roles will most likely continue, as they define her personality as a woman and a wife. She is accumulating quite a following of young girls and women across the world who are excited about everything that she stands for.

The newly named Duke and Duchess of Sussex felt Diana’s presence at their wedding and paid tribute to her in many ways. From using her favorite flower in the wedding bouquet, forget-me-nots, to Meghan wearing Diana’s aquamarine ring, to having Diana’s older sister deliver the reading at the ceremony, all were so touching. Perhaps the most charitable tribute was honoring several of Princess Diana’s favorite causes. Rather than receiving wedding gifts, the married couple has requested that guests make donations to one of the charities that Diana loved so much and stood behind. Those include CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association), CRISIS and Centrepoint which are both organizations working to end homelessness. Equally as important to the bride and groom was Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, who also received the royal treatment from the time she met Prince Harry a few months ago to her afternoon tea invitation the day before the wedding by Queen Elizabeth. 

 

With pleasure comes responsibility and now that the couple has completed their nuptials, they will delay their much anticipated-honeymoon, to attend some royal functions including Prince Charles’ 70^th birthday celebration. However, either Botswana or Namibia in Africa are the front-runners for the honeymoon, two of Duke of Sussex’s favorite destinations.  There is no doubt that the couple will give young George, Charlotte, and Louis at least one playmate, perhaps two as the couple seem like natural parents in many pictures where the two are playfully doting over children they pass in their travels.

We wish the royal couple many fruitful and wonderful years together. They have that secret formula for success as they share many of the same desires in life and many of the philanthropic skills that set them apart from others and will keep them smiling and in love forever and ever.