The Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid a visit to school children in Harlem during their New York City trip.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry paid a visit to PS 123 Mahalia Jackson School in Harlem, where Meghan read her children’s book.
The couple was joined by NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter and to promote early literacy, Meghan read her children’s book: The Bench.
The group of second-grade students listened attentively while gathered outside. Prince Harry also joined the kids on the ground, sitting among the children.
“I wrote this when we just had our little boy, and I haven’t read it to any other kids but you!” Meghan told the group of seven-year-olds. “The idea of representation — that looks like me! — I wanted everyone to be included in this book.”
Meghan wore a Merlot trouser outfit with matching heels. Her long hair was styled in loose waves. Harry was dressed more casually in khakis and a long sleeve shirt. Both sported black face masks as they interacted with people at the school.
Meghan’s debut book tells the story of the special relationship between father and son, as seen through a mother’s eyes, and the Duchess has previously revealed that Harry and firstborn, Archie, were the inspiration behind it.
Meghan shared that she dedicated her book to “the man and the boy who make my heart go pump-pump.” She explained how the phrase “pump-pump” came from teaching 2-year-old Archie how the heart works.
The Duchess was seen communicating with the children regarding her book and asking questions about it.
The duke and duchess offered lots of hugs to students at PS 123, a school that services shelters for students without permanent homes. A couple of the children were seen shedding tears when they met the pair.
The couple was also pictured being shown around the school by Principal Melitina Hernandez, who was accompanied by two student ambassadors. The couple was shown murals painted by 4th and 5th graders at the school.
The children drew Meghan and Prince Harry’s pink paper hearts with their personal stories and dedications on them, and Meghan went through them and engaged with the students by name.
Prince Harry and Meghan donated two garden boxes filled with vegetables and herbs to support a growing need in the community for easy access to fresh and healthy food.
Through Meghan and Harry’s Archewell Foundation’s partnership with Procter & Gamble, they are also providing health products for families at the school as well as a washing machine and dryer for students’ uniforms.
The Duchess is also donating reading nooks to many Graham Windham locations in New York, to support families’ access to books.
The couple has been on a trip to New York City where they visited the One World Observatory to pay tribute to the 9/11 victims and were joined by Mayor Bill De Blasio and Governor of New York State Kathy Hochul.
Previously, fans also witnessed that Prince Harry’s work briefcase has ‘Archie’s papa’ engraved on it, as their eldest kid’s name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor.
This has been the couple’s first outing together since the birth of their daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten Windsor.
When asked if they were enjoying being in New York, Meghan replied: “It’s wonderful to be back.”
The couple, who live in California after stepping aside from royal duties last year, is scheduled to appear on Saturday at a Global Citizen concert aimed at combatting a variety of issues, including climate change, global poverty, and vaccine inequity.