Harry and Meghan surprise winners of $2m grants in phone calls to personally congratulate recipients

2 August 2023, 17:57

Harry and Meghan surprised recipients on Wednesday.
Harry and Meghan surprised recipients on Wednesday. Picture: Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund

By Jenny Medlicott

Prince Harry and Meghan surprised the recipients of a youth initiative grant scheme on Wednesday as they personally called recipients to congratulate them on their success.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared in a video for the first time in three months today in a video congratulating those set to receive Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund (RTYPF) grants - a scheme sponsored by Archewell Foundation.

Posted by the RTYPF, Harry and Meghan were shown in their £12m mansion in Montecito, California as they made the calls.

Speaking to the selected recipients, the couple beamed as they shared the news.

“Thank you for doing everything that you do. Our kids especially are incredibly grateful,” Harry told one.

“They don't know it yet, but they will!”, Meghan continued.

Under the scheme, some 26 youth-led ventures will receive $2m worth of grants ranging between $25,000 and $200,000 depending on their initiative’s needs.

The Archewell Foundation is one of multiple organisations on the RTYPF’s committee, which aims to “support youth and inter-generationally led organisations shape the responsible technology movement”.

Trisha Prabhu of organisation Rethink Citizens responded to the news from the pair: “It was like young people were empowered and emboldened to say things to me online that they would never say to me in person.

“And so my vision was, can we actually stop the cyber bullying at the source with the cyber bully via a behavioural approach that actually teaches young people to pause and rethink.”

Read more: Prince Andrew will visit Balmoral for royal family summer break - but Harry and Meghan unlikely to accept 'open invite'

Read more: Spotify loses out on £34m after podcasting 'write offs' with high-profile contracts including Harry and Meghan

Read more: Harry and Meghan back 'positive masculinity' charity that 'engages men as allies in equality'

The pair grinned as they announced the news to the successful candidates.
The pair grinned as they announced the news to the successful candidates. Picture: Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund
Harry and Meghan beamed as they delivered the news.
Harry and Meghan beamed as they delivered the news. Picture: Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund

Harry replied: “This is amazing. This is exactly why we do what we do. This is exactly why the Youth Power Fund was created.”

Sam Hiner, executive director of the Young People's Alliance Education Fund, who received a call from the royal pair said: “What I appreciated is that sometimes it feels like we're not as recognized for the advocacy we do as young people.”

“I really appreciated that they saw the importance of the work that we were doing and were speaking to the importance of young people getting engaged in the democratic process,” he continued to tell People.

It comes after the royal pair have faced separation rumours in recent weeks amid claims they had been taking time apart from one another.

However, multiple sources have denied the claims, suggesting the rumours were fabricated.

Harry and Meghan were also hit with a blow recently after their $20million Spotify deal was cancelled, with the Duchess's 'Archetypes' podcast underwhelming streaming executives.

There are now fears their $98million Netflix deal could be cancelled, which would represent another major financial blow to the couple.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Colette Fairbanks was sacked after sharing ‘offensive’ posts

Brexit views not protected from workplace discrimination, tribunal rules after woman sacked over ‘offensive’ posts

Breaking
The Metropolitan Police carried out a controlled detonation of a suspect package near the US embassy in London

US Embassy in London on 'lockdown' as police investigate 'suspect package'

Coleen Rooney said her husband Wayne has not been forgiven in the court of public opinion

Coleen Rooney opens up on Wayne's 'difficult' mistakes as she says he hasn't been forgiven in court of public opinion

Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel

Laos hostel owner arrested after Brit lawyer becomes fifth tourist to die in 'poisoning'

Holly Bowles, 19, from Melbourne, has died in the ‘methanol mass poisoning’

Sixth person dies in Laos ‘methanol mass poisoning’ as hostel owner detained by police

Exclusive
Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

'We're destroying what should be the finest river on Earth': Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

Household energy bills will rise again from January

Household energy bills to rise by £21 a year from January in further blow for Brits this winter

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

'The world must respond': Zelenskyy warns that Putin is 'testing' the West after confirmed use of new ballistic missile

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Netanyahu faces arrest if he travels to Britain as Starmer vows to enforce International Criminal Court warrant

Yvette Cooper has branded the Rwanda scheme a "complete con."

Yvette Cooper to crack down on anti-social behaviour with new 'respect orders' as repeat offenders face jail time

King Charles III And Queen Camilla on Coronation Day

King Charles' coronation cost taxpayer £72 million, report reveals

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola signs two-year contract extension with Manchester City

Captain Tom's Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Behaviour at Captain Tom charity left ex-boss 'gobsmacked'

Armed robbers attempted to break into the star's Sunderland home.

Masked machete-wielding robbers break into Charlotte Crosby's home while she is upstairs with two-year-old daughter

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed