Prince Harry did a Zoom chat with some people from WellChild, one of his biggest patronages. He spoke to the WellChild CEO and parents of special needs children and the conversation was about how they’re all coping with the lockdown and the pandemic. This was obviously not posted to any of the Sussexes’ social media, because they don’t have any active social media at the moment. Instead, it seems like Harry authorized WellChild to post stuff about it, and WellChild also posted a nearly full YouTube video of the conversation:
Here are some selected portions of what Harry said to some of the parents:
On the positives of family time: “There’s a hell of a lot of positives that are happening at the same time and being able to have family time — so much family time — that you almost think, ‘Do I feel guilty for having so much family time?’ You’ve got to celebrate those moments where you are just on the floor rolling around in hysterics. Inevitably, half an hour later, maybe a day later, there’s going to be something that you have to deal with and there’s no way you can run away from it.”
The strength of parents with special-need kids: “It’s very nice to see the familiar faces on here.” He went on to praise the families, calling them “super-parents” for their grace under such pressure. “The resilience and the strength that you guys have is absolutely incredible. You must never, ever, ever, ever forget that. Of course, there are going to be hard days – I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it is for you guys. Having one kid at 11 months old is enough!”
When he was asked how he was doing: “Not too bad. I think it’s certainly strange times — everyone is experiencing the same thing in a very unique way. But the longer this goes on for, I imagine the harder it is for each and every one of you. It’s all about morale. If morale is up, if you wake up in the morning and go, ‘Right, new day, got my whole family here, what are we going to do?’ Of course, there’s that fear of what might happen, but there’s so much that’s out of our control and all of the sudden we’ve realized how small we are in the grand scheme of things.”
On the increasing struggle to support vulnerable children during a pandemic: “This is hard on everyone, but it is especially hard on you. I know that WellChild are doing everything they can to support you. Hopefully, through this video we can make it more clear and obvious to Government and everybody else that you are in the ‘vulnerable’ bracket and WellChild needs more help. It is really nice to see you all smiling and happy. Keep going, keep the morale up, keep busy, keep being creative, dare yourself to try new hobbies and I hope to see you all again very, very soon!”
I wonder who contacted whom? My guess is that Harry contacted WellChild, probably because he (like the Couple of Keenery) has been calling and checking in with his patronages and charities. And since he can’t host a fundraiser – no one can – he chose to do this Zoom chat to raise awareness and hopefully encourage people to support WellChild and vulnerable children.
Am I wrong for trying to peep Harry’s background? That doesn’t look like a Malibu beach house. It looks like Beverly Hills or Bel Air to me!!
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, WENN.
But these people have to work!!! Why is he bugging them?! How selfish of him!
These are people who are at home with their families, no? Nice try with the trolling though.
Thank you. It would be nice if people would simply read beyond the headline or at least think about what they’ve read before commenting on articles about the Sussexes.
Exactly. He’s putting a spotlight so people can donate that Well Child needs.
Trolls got to troll.
I plan to add Well Child to the list of charities I am donating to this month.
I read that comment as sarcasm.
I think it’s sarcasm predicting future criticism.
I read it as pure snark because people commented that the other two should let people get on with their jobs instead of being used as PR.
Think he was chatting to parents at home that the charity supports no? I saw some being interviewed on BBC. Think the charity wants this out because they are struggling& may not be eligible for COVID government package.
Rota reporters suggested they would be dark for a while so this is a surprise. wonder if those complaining that Harry wasn’t being visible enough during this crisis are happy now but I am betting not lol.
Yes, he was talking with parents and their children. The video was reportedly made on 9 April, so the RRs had no info on this until yesterday.
Lol what, they’re not medical professionals and workers battling the frontline on Covid. They’re parents and charity workers. H e’s lending them publicity and Actually helping them with their work.
@nvywife You’re being sarcastic, right? (sorry wrong placement, my screen jumped unexpectedly)
This is a troll. I wouldn’t spend much time on deciphering the comment.
I just read that Harry and Meghan have been quietly volunteering, delivering meals to at-risk citizens in West Hollywood.
Stop threadjacking.
Sorry.
FWI, it wasn’t intentional as I didn’t know what constitutes thread-jacking on this site.
thank you.
I was trying to figure out the background too! All I got is that it looks like a kitchen lol
Its the same background from the Invictus games postponement video.
Meaning the Sussexes have been in the states longer than the royal reporters have known.
No, it is not, the Cupboard is different if you care to take a closer look.
https://twitter.com/scobie/status/1250559817665691651
One cupboard has a small and a broad rill while the other only has a broader rill.
The Sussexes have been in the US since March 18, the media found out a week later.
I’d love to think he has a green screen set up and is messing with everyone hahaha.
@ Erinn : That would be perfect! And have a weird SciFi background too. Something with a nice view of Mars to really confuse everybody. LOL.
[delete – accidental double]
It looks like an office to me. Maybe they have rented one for their charity.
That’s what I was thinking. Rented, temp office space.
But even if they rented a place, they should not be there unless they reside there. Maybe a den or home office? Love the idea above that they are using green screen.
Is that a part of kitchen counter? His place looks to be the size of homes of regular people, good for him to downsize for the earth.
Yeah right. As if.
He really seems so much more natural than Unable doing these chats with people – much more engaging. I’m absolutely picturing him rolling around on the floor laughing with Archie, btw! Great visual.
Is that the same background that was in the Invictus cancellation video? If so, they got into LA waaay before the press knew about it since they were all claiming he made that video in Canada. Stealthy Sussexes.
that struck me about it too. He and William do something very similar, and Harry just comes off better. He seems more relaxed and like he’s doing this because he wants to, not because someone said “we need to do something so people can see you’re still working.” I think its pretty much true across the board though. Harry has his mother’s charisma and ease around people.
If you compare what they say… Harry engages people, listens, and asks questions, and lets them talk. William says, “Well done” and “Brilliant” over and over, then talks over someone, as if he’s been rehearsing what *he* wants to say while the other person is talking.
Diana *was* right: Harry WOULD make a MUCH better king than William. Definitely showed this as a toddler; don’t know if his personality had been nurtured in a different way, without the “burden/expectation” of being the heir, perhaps William might’ve *learned* to develop more empathy, more compassion, be less self-centered. I know Harry was born with the “empathy” gene, like Diana, he has a natural ability to connect with people, put them at ease like she did. But he also wasn’t raised with the same expectations. Guess it’s the old argument: nature vs nurture?
@Jan — that’s a good point. DO you think W&K are the way they were because of different expectations put upon them?
Or do you think it is more than Harry inherited his mother’s abilities to connect with people while W didn’t? or is more a question of having empathy to begin with?
Look at K vs M: definitely, no expectations there but look how different they are when in the same position…….
The room does look the same. Harpers Bazaar wrote: “On April 9, the Duke of Sussex dialed in to a Zoom chat from his home in Los Angeles to speak with mom-of-three Leanne Cooper and father-of-four Craig Hatch about some of the new hurdles they are facing during the COVID-19 crisis.” So, if this mag is to be considered somewhat reliable, we at can at least assume he was in California for the Invictus video, too.
I think its clear the invictus game video and this video is from the same place.
Who is Unable?
It’s early – I actually meant Cain of Cain and Unable.
Nice of him to do. I’ve said it yesterday that these calls can be a morale boost for these people.
I bet you they have a very mundane room in whatever house they live in for these kinds of things, so that people don’t see their actual house. So that’s why all his videos are from this same room (the Invictus delay video was in this room too.)
I liked this video. I thought it was a nice gesture from him and I thought it was clear he knew some of the people already.
He does know them personally, he is the Patron of of Well Child from 2007 ??
So he knows the parents and children.
Harry is just natural when he’s talking to people. He makes them comfortable too.
Are these calls useful? I do know one thing the #SussexSquad is now donating money to #WellChild………….So perhaps that was the goal
Im sure the families who he spoke to and boosted their spirits found it useful. And WellChild found it useful to post and to raise money with.
I am a pragmatic …….how long can a spirit-boost call like that last? it is not for me to judge; as long as those who received it are happy, guess that’s what matters at the end.
I prefer Meghan’s approach to charity………..DO DO and DO
I have donated to #ArchieDay and I specifically excluded UK based charities from my list (yeah I am petty that way); The way Meghan was treated in that country by some was appalling……..given those people were riled up about nail polisher, they should continue to focus on nail polisher…….I will be donating to #WellChild on behalf of Harry
It was a useful call in at least two ways. It raised the morale of the parents and the nurse who took part, drew attention to their increased isolation and their difficulties accessing medication, and Harry’s involvement resulted in a slot on BBC Breakfast – which has very wide reach – when the administrator was able to highlight the fact that the children need to be classified as “vulnerable” (bizarrely, they are not at the moment) which would qualify the families for priority help and protective gear, and to appeal for donations.
Exactly Bella. One of the parents was worried about running out of oxygen for her child. Why they are not considered vulnerable is beyond me. This raised awareness so this call was very useful. These are special need kids with chronic and sometimes terminal conditions. I applaud Harry for doing this.
That is a legit question. As WellChild posted the video apparently they determined that it was useful.
Question: Could WellChild post this video without the permission of the Sussexes?
I really have no clue how these things work.
It’s already been pointed out how this was useful so I’m just here to +1 the comments.
I can understand what you’re saying, please remember BM do not speak for All Brits.
When British Vogue was published in England, the British people helped to make it, the fastest selling issue.
Smart Works capsule collection, they did the same thing.
They came out and supported Meghan (and Harry) When they were making personal appearances, her last visit to the high school, how much they appreciated her coming to their school.
@Yoyo ……..I know you are right; that’s why I didn’t say all but some. The treatment Meghan received left a bad taste in my mouth. I saw the same thing happening to the Obamas;
If you look at it:
H&M are treated like B&M were; while W&K are treated like Donald and his trophy wife are, mostly by racists ………so I wasn’t putting all in the same bucket.
The Vogue and Cookbook were international successes. I couldn’t buy as many copies of Vogue as I did for the Cookbook as there weren’t that many available to begin with.
If I may point out a couple of other ways this is useful beyond the obvious morale boost — everyone reading this story is now aware the charity exists; it may not affect them personally, but they may have a friend, family member etc. that this service could benefit, healthcare workers, social workers etc. now have one more resource to offer.
It puts the charity on the radar for people looking to support Sussex initiatives via donations.
So yes, all around helpful in the short and long term.
It’s good for fundraising and increasing the organisation’s profile to an international audience, especially during a time when the charity has to cancel upcoming fundraising events.
Lots of the sussexsquad are donating after seeing Harry’s video. I donated as well.
Good on him. And we’ll done to both of them for obviously being able to keep their move to LA on the down low for a lot longer than people thought!
This post’s headline prompted me to comment. I wanted to emphasize the importance of using people-first language when referring to someone with special needs or mental health issues. People can feel offended when they hear “special needs child” or “ADHD kid” rather than “child with special needs/kid with ADHD” because it sounds like they are defined by their limitations, disability or disorder. I read this site regularly, and understand that it not how this was intended. I just thought I’d share that info in case anyone was uncomfortable with that phrasing.
This is good to know.
Did not know that, Highdee. Thank you.
People make fun of me when I say things like “words matter”…. but they really do. As an adult with ADHD and a son with ADHD (He is a first-born son, I am a second born daughter, my brother is a first born son and my uncle is also; I seem to be (so far) the only second-born daughter in our family, which is a pattern the experts have recognized. I am a woman with ADHD, not an ADHD woman 🙂 Thank you SO much for your statement. Words AND Language really MATTERS!
I can say one thing that Meghan is so luck to have a guy who is genuine ,loving and treating her like a queen and very resepcetful towards her too. Now wonder keen Katie is so jealous of Meghan and how harry is treating her.
I’m jealous too!
I knew the Sussexes would find a way to keep in touch with their patronages and raise awareness even while trying to figure out their future. This is who Harry is, and I know they will be successful in their philanthropic goals.
The crazy thing about the pandemic is it has leveled the playing field for the Sussexes and Cambridges. They pretty much have the same resources available to them. They can both zoom and raise awareness. There are no fancy dress up parties or the Rota reporting on what the duchesses are wearing. There are no smashing of bottles to launch ships or overseas tours with world leaders or photo ops of the queen, future king, future future king and future, future, future king. It’s all unnecessary. The ones who ultimately matter and make the important decisions are the government officials, the workers, the people and international bodies. I hope when this is over people’s eyes are opened and they seriously examine the need to maintain such a useless institution.
How was he able to keep this patronage? Especially since Kate is trying to make the welfare of children her thing. Did he really keep it or is he just supporting it anyway? I never got a full understanding about what and how/ why he could keep/ lose the various patronages.
@Steph: I believe the charity refers to him as patron so he’s probably still on board
Neither of them lost any patronages. The only thing related to those things he did loose was the “Commonwealth Youth Ambassador” role (and his military titles which were honourary. The ones that he earned through serving he can keep)
Betty decided to not be petty and allowed them to keep their patronages…at least for a year.
It’s very sad that the royals and the RM have chased this guy out. They have truly lost a great asset. Too bad they will all be writing articles about him bashing him for this kind gesture.
It has already started. The Sussex bashing in the British Tabloid Media and on other blog-comment sites is just beyond belief.
Bashing by who, the RR or the commenters? Because we know the paid trolls and psychos are going to be at it.
The level vileness and vitriol is insane there, it’s incompareable!
I think the wackiest thing I read on Twitter (by a tweet crasher) is that it’s not Harry at all. The “real” Harry is in rehab/mental hospital in UK and this is a “brown eyes impersonator” Meghan hired to keep up appearances to put donations in her own pocket. Also, Archie is fake and the surrogate took him back. These are sometimes fun to read while relaxing with your fifth glass of wine haha
They never chased him out. He left because his wife was unhappy. They also left Canada without so much as a “thank you” after the Canadian taxpayer funded their security. Think of the money spent on these two that could have gone to fighting the virus.
I’m not sure how you can post something that totally ignores the cost of the royals in the UK and how the NHS is massively underfunded because of them and yet try to say that six months of security for two people and a baby is the same thing. It really says a lot about your level of delusion.
They left the UK because of the constant racist vitriol in the tabloids and his leaking backstabbing family members. Yeah, she was unhappy having her (very fine) reputation destroyed for sport by a bunch of knuckle draggers. He was obviously extremely unhappy about it as he made 2 public declarations to get the “press” to back the f off – they ignored him. He left and took his bride and baby with him.
If you want things that help people to be funded properly, voting conservative (I’m making an educated guess here) is never going to get you that.
They very specifically thanked the Canadian government when they returned to the UK. Did you want a personal letter too?
You’re right, the goal wasn’t to chase him out, just her. The rest of your statement is full of it and not grounded in reality. Didn’t they thank the Canadian government with their visit to Canada house? Did you want them to stay there permanently and why? I don’t get why everyone expects them to talk about every detail about everything to satisfy them.
Not to be rude Nic but you had better check your delusion. The RF contributes greatly in a number of ways. And the NHS is not underfunded because of them. I’m not even to engage in that argument because its a ridiculous statement.
Guest,
There wasn’t constant racist vitriol in the tabloids. Admittedly some of it was nasty but Meghan brought some of it on herself and she wasn’t the only bride to have negative press. Backstabbing family members? Proof? They bent over backwards for them. Gave them the wedding they wanted, the home they wanted and patronages they wanted. If Harry was so unhappy for so long why didn’t they leave before the the taxpayer paid for their wedding and house? How I vote has bugger all to do with my comment. They take zero responsibility for some of the negativity and blame everyone else. This is my opinion of them and I’m entitled to it just as you are to yours. Not everyone sees these two through rose coloured glasses.
@Joannie: Delusion? Uh,,, excuse me… the Sussexes left because they were completely hamstrung by the BRF in doing what they wanted to do, that could have brought untold benefit to the BRF. Instead the family turned a blind eye to the violent, racist, misogynistic and hateful press the tabloids and RRs were gleefully spinning, never mind the financial shenanigans Wm and Catty were doing with the foundation. And BTW, the NHS IS overstretched and underfunded, putting health services under unsustainable pressure during this pandemic. Aside from individuals like the Duke of Westminster, the UK’s second richest person with an estimated £10bn fortune who is donating £12.5m to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic after being “humbled” by the dedication of NHS workers, I don’t see the Queen, the Cambridges or any others donating some of their vast fortunes. All they do is a brief PSA, Zoom or phonecall telling people how brave they are and to buck up, things will get better, then they rush back to their estates and castles and multitudinous staff and consider it a public duty to isolate. Bullshit.
@Joannie: Furthermore the Sussexes didn’t leave Canada without a thank-you, they went to Canada House in London to express their gratitude at being welcomed into a country that respected and protected them. I should know, I LIVE NEAR TO WHERE THEY STAYED. I don’t know what kind of troll you are but you are seriously wrong in your opinions and should comment with some sort of proof other than your uneducated vitriol.
@Joannie,
You have basically come here, like a common troll, to shit on a thread about charitable giving by two people you don’t know, who have never done you any harm but are giving their own time and energy to help others. What’s worse is you’re a racism denier, and a very bitter, envious one at that as evidenced by the way you singled out Meghan without naming one thing she has done wrong to deserve your spite. You really should ask yourself why you continue to follow the lives of the Sussexes, people you obviously despise, and what it’s doing for your own well-being because it’s definitely not making you feel good or charitable.
Joannie, Why would Harry stay and tolerate UK racism and misogyny?
Dear Gosh, I just love Harry.
I love and adore Harry. The more I learn about him the more I respect him. He just gets it. He is genuine and really cares. This was a lovely chat and what he said was so true. I love that he seems to be really enjoying his family time and Archie seems to be a handful haha I know both of mine were at that age. They still are. The RF really lost a gem.
+ 1.
+2
I just adore Harry. You can feel his genuineness (is that a word?) in these videos. He is so natural with these folks and he seems to know at least some of them already. Great job keeping up with the charities, guys! Show those other two how it’s supposed to be done.
I know right? I don’t know that I could so seamlessly and thoughtfully direct such a conversation. He is so, so emotionally intelligent. Really talented those two. Really talented.
How pleasing to see in the coverage of this by proper outlets that the message is getting through – these children’s families need to be reclassified as vulnerable.
And several donations have come through already.
Job done, Harry and WellChild.
The videochat was great! Everyone look so good! And that California Street Artist’s drawing of Harry, how cool is that?! Brits, that is how you welcome a newcomer!
This was a wonderful gesture and already the squad has raised over €400 for them (target is 1k+) please go and donate to this charity
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ArchiesBigOne
Joanne I know you are trolling but she was called uppity on ITV, baby compared to a chimpanzee on SM& that reference used in a few articles about him , caricatured on the BBC as an angry black woman who threatened to knife Kate where they darkened her up & tabloids portray her as a ‘sorceress’ using sex to ensnare Harry& day her ‘sexual’ nature was why her and ‘introvert’ Kate were feuding. Oh and Harry was threatened by far right group for being a ‘race traitor’ so yeah there was a lot of racism& racist tropes. Let alone the constant digs at her career, being American& using the grifting Markles as a weapon.
The Times had a opinion piece telling her to leave& take Harry with her, Loose Women TV show, Piers Morgan& like were saying if they didn’t like press criticism they should leave, step down from duties etc. After Andrew stepped down people seemed more angry with the Sussexes than any allegations around him& his friendship with paedophiles & tabloid polls suggested the slimmed down monarchy should happen now.
On top of obviously difficult Palace situation I’m not surprised that Harry, who has been talking about discomfort with press in England since 2008, decided enough was enough.
I wouldn’t bother with Joannie, not everyone can be reached and that’s fine. Time marches on and you have to choose your battles. The reason Harry has a more personable nature is because he’s spent more time around people outside of his class. I think it has prepared him well for a life of public service.
As the parent of an adult son with a disability, this warms my tired heart. My son has been back home as his supported accommodation was having serious problems during the Covid-19 crisis. Just seeing someone acknowledge how hard it has been is nice. Harry is genuinely kind and caring and so is Meghan. You can’t fake that. You just can’t.
Prince Harry is an amazing man. That’s all.