Meghan Markle shines in New York post busy week of mental health advocacy
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was photographed enjoying a quiet dinner with a friend in Manhattan on Saturday night, marking the close of a packed week of public engagements alongside Prince Harry.
The 44-year-old Duchess was seen leaving upscale Japanese restaurant Kappo Masa on Madison Avenue dressed in a grey jacket over a black ensemble, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail.
According to People, the outing followed her lunch with Prince Harry and longtime friend Serena Williams on Friday afternoon.
Moreover, her latest appearance came after a series of high-profile events for Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day programming, where she and the Duke of Sussex were recognized for their humanitarian work through the Archewell Foundation.
On October 9, the couple attended the organization’s annual World Mental Health Day Gala at Spring Studios, where they were honored as Humanitarians of the Year.
The award celebrated their ongoing efforts to foster safer online environments for young people and promote global mental well-being, as per the outlet.
“When they came together, they weren’t just sharing stories — they were creating a movement,” Meghan said in her speech.
She added, “They turned their grief into advocacy, and when they let love fuel their fight for change, we saw tremendous impact.”
The following day, on October 10, Harry and Meghan returned to Spring Studios to take part in Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival, where the Archewell Foundation presented three panel discussions.
As per the publication, Prince Harry moderated a conversation titled “Thriving or Surviving: How Are Young People Doing in the Digital Age?” while Meghan introduced “The Great Rewiring of Childhood,” a session moderated by journalist Katie Couric and featuring psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation.
Throughout the festival, the couple engaged with attendees and discussed solutions for addressing the mental health crisis among youth — a cause that has become central to their post-royal work.
Furthermore, the Duke and Duchess, who reside in California with their two children, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet, continue to balance family life with their growing influence in the social impact space.