Yesterday, the SussexRoyal Instagram posted a teaser video of Ed Sheeran coming up to a door, ringing the doorbell and Prince Harry answering the door. It was a video for World Mental Health Day, which is today, and they’ve already released the full video. Just note: I hoped that we were going to see inside Frogmore Cottage, and that Frogmore Cottage truly had a “God Save the Queen” doorbell. But it’s not Frogmore Cottage. It’s Ivy Cottage, part of the Kensington Palace complex, and Princess Eugenie’s London pad. Are we ever going to see inside Frogmore?!?
The joke of the video is that Ed Sheeran and Harry are both gingers and they honestly look like brothers. The other joke is that Sheeran thinks that they’re uniting for a special cause of ginger awareness. He says “People don’t understand what it’s like for people like us – the jokes and snide comments, I just feel like it’s time we stood up and said we’re not going to take this anymore. We are ginger and we’re going to fight.” Harry informs him that actually, this is for World Mental Health Day. It’s a cute video. I need to watch it a few more times so I can properly creep on the interior of Ivy Cottage.
Also: Harry and Ed are both kind of okay actors? Weird, I know.
Instagram and screencap courtesy of SussexRoyal IG.
This was cute! And a good way for them to promote resources.
I thought this was a misstep personally. It’s making light of a really serious issue.
Wonder if the humour is lost in translation? It’s very common in UK and Australian humour to ‘take the piss out of ourselves’, even when an issue might be quite serious. There will be plenty of the more traditional or serious World Mental Health Day messages out there and people less likely to see or take note of those – Sheeran fans, Harry fans, teens etc for example, might be more likely to watch a message like this and see the WMH Day message incidentally….
As a person with a close family member with a serious mental illness that has profoundly affected our whole family for years, I like the idea the message will reach people who wouldn’t normally hear it.
My husband suffers from depression and suicidal thoughts. I didn’t know for 5 years of our relationship cause he thought he had to be a man, not show his emotions. To add a funny bit in this instance makes it seem more like it’s a normal thing to deal with. I think people think others will judge them if they know about it. Harry and Ed are making it seem like it’s not a taboo subject and people are not alone. My husband is getting ready to check into an a year long program btw so hopefully he will get the help he needs.
Joanna, l wish you and your husband all the best.
I saw it this morning and thought it was cute. I laughed because I was watching it and thinking “that’s funny they both have red hair” and then the gingers line came up. Ed deleting the text on his laptop was hilarious.
It wasn’t the deepest or most serious video out there, and I think that’s okay. People will talk about it and that’s the point.
Nothing funnier than mental health, am I right?
I’m sorry I just get really worked up when people joke around and minimize issues with mental health. It’s bad enough their overall message is talk will help, what’s medication? Ok, I haven’t had coffee, I’m going to stop ranting because maybe I’m being too harsh.
They weren’t joking about mental health though. They were joking about being redheads. I don’t take offense of using a joke-y video to raise awareness, but if you do that’s your right.
Yup you are harsh
Talking is the first step though, and mentioning medication might scare off people who need help but don’t like the idea of being on pills- they often need time to get used to the idea and/or to be cajoled into it.
Great point.
Talking is the first step, but for millions it’s not the last one. Not one of the royals have ever done anything to destigmatize taking medication. Just talk and stable childhoods and you’re set for life with good mental health. Which is insulting to all those who need more. So many are afraid of being on medication they don’t get the help they need. What’s wrong with mentioning that talk is a FIRST step, but one should work with professionals if it’s not enough? They don’t even need to use the word “medication” because apparently it’s too taboo.
@eliza – I generally agree, the royals are all about “talking” and taking the first step for mental health but I don’t really hear it going beyond that. But for this 90 second video on WMHD, I think the ginger jokes and the “talk about it” message are fine.
Also, sometimes talk therapy is effective for people who don’t take medication. I suffer from chronic depression and generalized anxiety, and have never taken medication, but talk therapy was immensely helpful, as were the coping mechanisms that I was taught during talk therapy. Not everyone needs to be on medication, as long as they’re getting some form of treatment.
You’re right, they don’t, but the point is they’re not even mentioning medication. Sometimes that medication saves lives, but because of the taboo around it, and because of people who don’t know any better spouting opinions, folks don’t go for the help they need. Try telling someone you’re on medication for depression, and nine times outta ten, you will be judged about your need for pharmaceutical help. There is a lot of stigma around it, which does not help the depressed patient at all.
Fellow chronic depression sufferer here and I agree with you. Purely personal experience here: medication was not the right choice for me but it was for my partner who deals with awful anxiety. However, he would never full out tell me or anyone to take medication because it’s an incredibly doctor and patient specific thing to decide. Meds can help immensely, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing that with anyone but a doctor because the first few months on those can be HELL. Getting people to go talk to someone for help and to assess their needs is the first step.
Maybe Kate was originally supposed to film something with Harry and this script was last minute when Ed Sheeran had to step in.
I look at who is the target of the joke. They’re not punching down at people dealing with mental illness. The entire piece is Harry talking about how important it is with a punchy bit at the end to get people to talk about it and share the video.
They weren’t joking about mental illness.
@Eliza, taking medication is a doctor/patient issue. So the first step is to get people to go talk to a doctor/therapist, etc. Some people will not even do that so I think encouraging people to be open to the idea of getting help is great. I don’t think they have to endorse any particular treatment plan to be effective advocates. People may have a lot of reasons why they don’t want to take meds besides any stigma. A lot of these drugs can have serious side effects so it’s a big decision. And I have a son diagnosed with bipolar disorder so I have some experience with this.
@Eliza I think it was not their place to recommend drugs or medication, that is for the health professionals, whereas, we can all do our part as lay people to encourage people to talk about it, and be heard. Can you believe the uproar if they had suggested sufferes take their medication?
@Eliza ..so your takeaway is that they were joking with Mental Health? my goodness, where do I even start?…….no won’t waste my energy
I…can’t. Oh come on, they were not joking about mental health. The lightheartedness was a way to draw people in, but the message was very clear.
Mental health can be a heavy topic, but I think you can bring a lightness and approachability to even the heaviest of topics to break the ice a bit. The world can be insufferable when everything needs to be dark and serious. I joke about my own battle with mental health because I spent enough time deep in the pain cave, and frankly if I have a choice to laugh and be light, or go dark, I’m going light. I thought the video was great!
Eliza I agree with you. This was not scripted well at all.
It’s British sense of humour, you get people talking about the ad, like we are now, because the humour makes the ad memorable. That was a clever move. How many of us remember any mental health ad on that day? Most ads in Britain, are injected with humour, ask Bill Bryson, he will tell you all about it.
We will never see their home and that’s completely fine.
I’d rather see inside the Queen’s home again. Love the gold piano.
Cute video, but that header photo doesn’t do them any favours. I’ve never found Ed attractive but oof, those Wales boys really lose their mojo once they’re married… Windsor genes coming through strong.
Hah! And here I was, thinking that Ed Sheeran didn’t look at all like Harry’s brother but, maybe if you squinted, a less attractive, frog-like cousin. Lol, we all have different taste.
Frog-like??!! 😂 That’s so mean, I actually think he’s quite cute with those huge, owl eyes.
Lol, I might be a bit harsh myself this morning, was thinking that after I typed that comment.
Yeah it’s an insult to Harry to say he and Ed look like brothers.
I think it’s just that he’s talking in that header photo? He looks quite handsome in the video still when he’s just smiling. I think, anyway.
+1, I’m always surprised about the “Harry is hot” comments because he is not?
Anyways, cudos to them for raising awareness for mental health. The focus this year is on suicide, especially among young people (2nd biggest cause of death).
I don’t get the hot Harry thing either. Is it that he’s hotter than his brother? I mean, that’s a really low bar. I’ll give him this – he looks pretty hot when he’s playing polo.
Harry looks aware and attentive, concerned and friendly, and that makes him attractive regardless of age and features.
Yes!!
That was great. It was funny and drew attention to what today was and the cause.
Very cute. And I’m so glad so many younger celebrities are talking about mental health.
Cute video! I like the approach.
I seriously lol’d at Harry’s “um.. ok, slightly awkward.”
Me too! He’s quite a good actor.
Could we have a post about what’s going on with Mary and Frederick? All the kids are being sent away to boarding school in Switzerland and Mary recently was given the ability to be regent when the monarch and Frederick are away.
Whaaaaaaaaat?? I had not heard this…
Wow. That’s intriguing. I’d like to know more about that!
CP Frederik spent a year at a boarding school in France when he was 14-15. While his father Henri/Henrik was french, those relatives were a 5 hour drive away. Given how much Fred has complained about his cold upbringing, sending all four kids away at once is a major surprise.
13 and 12 are young to be sent away, but add in the 8 year old twins and it gets completely questionable. I could see the older two going together to the school, to be backup for each other, but the twins? None of the other royal couples of similar age sent their kids away, much less so young.
There was talk Amalia of The Netherlands was going to spend a school year in either Wales or China, but she’s 16. Elisabeth of Belgium is studying for a year at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, but she’s 17. That’s the alma mater of W-A of the Netherlands and where they were thinking of sending Amalia.
There has started to be intrusion into Christian’s school life, with some photos of school clubs he’s in getting out on SM. Could that be part of the decision?
ArtHistorian, any insights?
Margrethe reiterated (again) that she is not retiring/abdicating, which always comes up this time of year. Mary’s fans are convinced, every year, that Margrethe will make the abdication announcement at New Year.
Is Margrethe popular?
(BTW Nota I am in awe of your royal knowledge)
TY.
Hopefully ArtHistorian (a Dane, jewelry, and royal history lover) will chime in. The Danish Royal Family is very popular, with a longer unbroken history than the BRF. I personally find Margrethe fascinating. Fashion designer, painter, textile artist, ballet set and costume designer, historian, archaeology buff. Luckily she’s fluent in English so I’ve listened to many of her interviews. There are subtitled ones on YT too (Queen Margrethe’s Red Thread and the one about royal jewels are good).
If we get a royal wish? I’d enjoy lunch with Maxima or drinks with Camilla, but I’d pick a day in a museum with Margrethe over either of them.
@nota, Does Queen Margrethe have a law degree?
Beatrix (former Queen, now Princess) of the Netherlands is the one who studied law.
Wow. That seems unusual given how young the twins are. I would also like to read more about this decision.
They issued a new press release saying it is for three months, after which they return to school in Denmark. Mary is moving to Switzerland and essentially won’t be working for that time.
Why do this other than 1) testing the waters to see if the kids adapt to boarding school and 2) willingly living apart from their spouse for three months. We’ll see what happens in autumn 2020.
@nota, I have never read of problems in the Mary & Fredrrik marriage from any reliable source. Are there any reliable rumors out there?
I LOLed when Ed realized they are not going to talk about gingers. Laughing is great for mental health. And since PMS and other things have me struggling hard, I enjoyed the laugh very much. Unlike yesterday crying fit….so I’ll take their approach with the video.
Is being called a Ginger a derogatory thing in the UK? I’m American and don’t feel like that’s an issue here but I keep hearing all this stuff about Gingers…
Also, does Genie get any credit since apparently they uh filmed it in her residence?
Yes, definitely much more a thing here in the UK. It’s a go-to insult and the implication is they’re weak and weird. See the South Park ep on gingers for a full primer.
Guess Eugenie and Harry aren’t beefing like the RRs claim. They must be on good terms for her to allow them to film in her home.
Kinda weird that they chose her home, no? I mean why Eugenie’s place and not Harry’s, or the palace, or Ed’s home?
Why should Ed have his own privacy invaded in order to support this work?
Harry’s not letting the press get a glimpse of their private home, esp not after the intrusion of the rental property. They’ve done plenty of other interviews in and around spaces at KP. Why not Eugenie’s? It is less formal than using a typical space at KP, plus gives a little boost to Eugenie’s PR.
When E’s rental of Ivy Cottage was first announced there were big attacks against her. We were told about mold in the walls, the low ceilings, how it wasn’t fancy. Now people can see it isn’t some huge palace.
I’m not saying they should have their privacy invaded, nota. I’m just a little surprised at their choice. It seemed rather random to me, that’s all.
This way it is done in a less formal environment, with someone who is willing to have it happen in their home (Eugenie).
How many relatives do you think he called before he found a place he could use, or did he just go straight to Eugenie first? If I was him, I wouldn’t feel I had a lot of allies in the RF.
He could have used any Palace office environment, but apparently wanted a less formal option. A home but not something as formal as Clarence House.
We don’t know if he does or doesn’t have allies, and since I don’t believe the crap the RRs are spreading especially that Palmer idiot. Harry’s always been incredibly close to Beatrice and Eugenie, referring to them as his sisters. Ed Sheeran, Beatrice, and Eugenie are all friends. For all we know, Eugenie is a supporter of this and wanted to help out. Goodness knows, the Yorks are looking for good PR about anything right now.
I always wonder about that too. I’m ginger-adjacent (strawberry blonde, but most people just say red) and I’ve spent my whole life having people compliment my hair (it’s not special, just an uncommon color, so I think people feel like they have to say something).
I also realize, that even where I grew up, it was probably still different for boys than girls.
Yes, it is. 2014 study at the University of Cork.
‘redheads are more likely to be bullied than people with any other hair colour. Lead researcher Kevin O’Regan concluded that the ‘bullying of gingers’ is ‘one of the last socially accepted forms of prejudice against people for a trait they were born with’.’
‘based on a survey of 1,742 people from 20 countries, 60.6 percent of males with red hair and 47.3 percent of women suffered from “some kind of discrimination in the past due to their hair color.’
I’m sure this video won’t meet Scorsese’s high standards, and neither those of some people in this thread, but it’s good to see how Harry is showing support to mental health and related issues. He has mentioned how he struggled, so this is clearly something he wants to shine a light on. Good to see someone of Sheeran’s popularity to help him with that!
Very true… this point seems to have been too easily lost.
Also, loved the delete delete delete scene near the end… by now it’s hopefully a gif somewhere already 🙂
Great collaboration and I hope it does encourage more people to reach out for help
Seriously, Harry is usually very comfortable in front of the camera and speaks well without notes. He is superior to his brother in that regard.
Did anyone else notice someone laughing in the background during the video?? Maybe it was Eugenie!
I needed a laugh this morning! That was pretty funny and deals with such a serious topic. Good on the teaser to get more eyes on this.
Harry’s really growing on me, what a sweet kind face at the end, and good acting re the ginger bit. I had no idea too that was an insult…I’ve never used it but good to know.
That was super cute. I like them separately, and like them together. They’re doin a good thing.
Is it time for William to whine again about how no celebrities want to help him out in mental health charity stuff?