Even though Prince Harry and Meghan Markle now live in sunny California and have stepped back from their royal duties, they still capture a lot of public attention. Beyond their roles in the British Royal Family, they are seen as prominent public figures and fashion icons.
As they prepare for the arrival of their second child, interest in Harry and Meghan is at an all-time high. Here’s a rundown of the latest updates about them:
**Vax Live Event:**
Harry and Meghan took on roles as co-chairs for the Global Citizen’s Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World, an event held in Los Angeles to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. Prince Harry made a public appearance on May 1st, delivering a speech to an audience of vaccinated health workers along with celebrity guests like Selena Gomez and Chrissy Teigen. Meanwhile, Meghan, who is pregnant, appeared via a pre-recorded message on May 8th, wearing jewelry previously owned by Princess Diana, to engage private sectors in promoting vaccine awareness.
**The Bench Book Release:**
In early May, Meghan announced the release of her children’s book, “The Bench,” which explores the bond between fathers and sons. Inspired by her own family, the book, illustrated by Christian Robinson, is set to come out on June 8th and has already seen pre-order sales soar worldwide. Despite some criticism from the media about her use of her royal title, Meghan isn’t the first royal to publish a book, as other family members have done the same.
**Archie’s Birthday Celebrations:**
The couple celebrated their son Archie’s second birthday on May 6th. They shared a photo of him with his birthday balloons on their Archewell website and encouraged donations to a children’s charity. In honor of Archie’s birthday, they also bought 200 beanie hats from Make Give Live, a New Zealand organization, to be donated to refugee camps worldwide.
**Prince Philip’s Funeral:**
After the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh, there was much media buzz about Harry’s presence and any possible reconciliation with his brother. Meghan, advised by her doctor, was unable to attend and watched the funeral from California. The couple contributed a wreath and a handwritten card to the funeral service and reportedly communicated directly with the Queen to express condolences.
**Revised Edition of “Finding Freedom”:**
In April, news surfaced that “Finding Freedom,” a biography of Harry and Meghan by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, was being updated to include recent events. The new edition is expected to cover topics like accusations of bullying, their royal exit, and the Oprah interview, along with the consequences of Prince Philip’s death. The revised book is perceived as a friendly portrayal of the couple, based on insights from journalists who worked closely with them.