The final event for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s three-day schedule in Canada was a reception in Vancouver to formally mark the “one year to go” until the Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler. Meghan and Harry attended the “celebratory gala” at the Vancouver Convention Centre and they shared photos on sussex.com. They also shared one exclusive photo with People Magazine (see above).
Once again, I’m asking them to create an Instagram account so that media outlets can embed their exclusive photos. Again, I don’t need Meghan to have a personal account (although I would love that), but something for their business, or an official Sussex.com Instagram. Sussex.com did reveal that Harry and Meghan were presented with woven blankets, given to them by Four Host First Nations. The Sussexes also shared an exclusive statement with People:
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are opening up about their “meaningful” visit to Canada for the official countdown to the 2025 Invictus Games.
“We loved being back in Canada, a place so meaningful to both of us. It was an honor to be welcomed by the Four Host First Nations, as we marked One Year To Go, together with Invictus coaches, competitors and families,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex exclusively tell PEOPLE following the three-day Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go celebration.
“It filled our hearts to once again be surrounded by Canadian people, food and culture. We felt the Invictus spirit and excitement throughout Whistler and Vancouver, and are so grateful to all our hosts for organizing such a memorable visit. We’re counting down the days until we return!” they add.
Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, also shared an exclusive new photo from the One Year to Go Dinner at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Friday. The snap shows the couple smiling in their seats at the evening gala, where Prince Harry sported a dark suit and Meghan wore an olive green gown by Canadian label Greta Constantine.
They looked very happy the whole time they were in Canada. They loved their little mini-tour, and they loved being able to do those events without the saltiest people in the world breathing down their necks. Of course, those salt merchants were trying so hard to get the Sussexes’ attention last week. And now they all have to contend with Prince William’s sustained tantrum over the Sussexes’ successful trip.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, People’s Instagram.
-
- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attending the One Year to Go Event before the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 at Mountain Square Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Where: Whistler, Canada When: 14 Feb 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
-
- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attending the One Year to Go Event before the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 at Mountain Square Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Where: Whistler, Canada When: 14 Feb 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
-
- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attending the One Year to Go Event before the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 at Mountain Square Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Where: Whistler, Canada When: 14 Feb 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
-
- One Year to Go event before the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 at Mountain Square Featuring: Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex Where: Whistler, Canada When: 14 Feb 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
-
- Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attending the second day of the One Year to Go Event before the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 at Mountain Square Featuring: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Where: Whistler, Canada When: 15 Feb 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
Love visiting Sussex.com to get updates on this couples activities. The photos and commentary shared is brilliant . They looked incredibly happy to be in Canada. Would not be surprised if a Sussex.com Instagram is in the works.
Maxine Branch, I know they’ll do what they decide to do, but I hope they stay off of social media. Why would they want more hate in their lives, because you know the derangers would attack, attack and attack.
AGAIN.
Their comms approach is the best and most time tested and psychologically sound approach to abuse.
It’s called Grey Rocking. It’s imperative to the survival of those who are in or who have left abusive situations – usually with a narcissist.
They do not and should not be on social media. Grey rocking has a timeline. They are following it.
I’m so happy they’re stuck with foot-in-mouth. It’s fun to watch. I also wish they had a no comment sm site for images they choose to share.
Putting 6K miles between the UK and themselves was the best decision for Harry and Meghan. Much to the British media’s disappointment, H&M and children are happy and thriving.
It was very nice to see them out doing what they love and looking so happy and unbothered by salt isle.
The funny thing is that Salt Isle is still very much bothered by them.
I would also love a Sussex instagram. Just turn off comments and close DMs. A few pics a month of what they are working on would be great. But I think it seems likely that the website is how they will be communicating and if thats the case then so be it. It was updated quickly last week and did a good job summarizing the various events. End of the day they don’t really need social media to promote their stuff…they just need to post it and let everyone else do the work lol.
They have been very clear about their feelings regarding social media and have done major advocacy work in regards to it. And at this point I can completely understand why Meghan specifically doesn’t want to be on social media. Comments off or not it would just contribute to the bullying and harassment she has endured for seven years now. I respect and understand her wanting to protect her peace as much as possible.
The animals from that island left some pretty nasty comments on PM. I wonder if they are the normal bots or are these people really that insane. I can see why H&M are reluctant to test the SM water.
The more the derangers, tabloid media and rota rats attack positive articles and pump out negative stuff, they only amplify the fact that H&M are not the problem.
I mean, yes, it’s (even more) obvious that the press is the problem, but if H and M have chosen to forego social media for their mental health, I’m going to respect that.
Social Media has turned into a cesspool of nasty comments for everyone ☹☹
Being far away from the uk rota can only be a good thing. They looked healthy and happy.
It’s almost as if Harry & Meghan are good at doing international trips. Hmmm…interesting isn’t it?
Yes, and Meghan wore a Canadian designer at the final dinner. Kate would never….
Actually, K has not up to now. She does have a history of copying though: she might.
H&M also bring the media spotlight their events need. And they make it look easy. And fun. Considering that this is the argument as to why H’s family is necessary, that must be galling for the ones left behind.
And the Sussexes can do all that without the need for post-event “cleanups,” unlike some people who lurch from event to event, either fueled by a need to compete or to cover up for failures and gaffs from the first badly handled event.
The woman in the wheelchair holding M’s hand looks like Yulia from Heart of Invictus. How wonderful if it is, her smile is so joyous!
I think that picture is from last year.
It is Yulia. I hope she’s doing better. She put a human face on a horrific war.
I would love for them to have a highly moderated instagram for their joint engagement as a couple. I also think Archewell should have its own instagram. They could still allow charities to share the visits first, but their work would have more visibility.
Without SM reforms put in place by these platforms, the Sussexes will never get back on any of them. Not even with an account with closed comments. Closed comment accounts are just a band aid slapped onto a rotted bug infested wound.
Yes, but realistically speaking those reforms will take ages to happen. I admire their advocacy on this issue but legislation around social media is incredibly difficult to achieve. I just think it’s a pity that the common person who doesn’t actively check their website might not come across their work. Traditional media (People exclusives and interviews) help but social media would be a crucial addition.
Frankly, you should check out Spoutible. No hate, no harrassment, no bots. Chritopher Bouzy of Box Sentenal created it. They do a GREAT job of keeping the racists, haters of any kind away. He just came out with a very clear statement about pronouns. People will be gone if they abuse that, too. It’s FUN!
I think the foundation will eventually get an Instagram account
My take: If they’re not comfortable with Instagram, that’s their decision. They should experiment with new ways to make their website have an image-stream element.
People kept saying that they wanted the Sussexes to give more current updates, including behind the scenes photos, and they complained about the Archewell website as a result. Now that their prayers have been answered and they are getting live updates on their new website, people are begging for a “social media” presence, despite the couple’s stated views on the current state of social media.
If you visit sussex.com, what immediately becomes clear is the images they have shared cannot be saved or downloaded. This is deliberate: it starves the greedy hacks who have paid their mortgages on the backs of H+M of the immediate means by which to further profit from their lives. If the website is providing the content and the photographs, why do they need to put them on Instagram as well? They clearly don’t want people just grabbing the images without also reading the messages which are tied to the photos, and they don’t want others crafting their messages for them. I think this is a very good thing. Sometimes we can simply be grateful for the fact that they choose to share anything at all with us, instead of always demanding one more thing.
I’ll just add that from what I recall, in recent times, it has been impossible to actually view Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. posts without actually logging in, and there are still many people who do not have such accounts. Their website is aimed at everyone, not just people on social media.
Very well stated.
My sentiments exactly ❤ why isn’t the web page enough❤
For me, as a supporter, it comes from a place of place of wanting as many people as possible to know the great work that they do, especially with Archewell. Sadly, most people don’t actively go on their website and I have found myself in conversations with people asking “what do they actually do” from a philanthropic perspective which is frustrating.
Most people use IG anyway and do not visit websites anymore, I have noticed and while traditional media help they do not have the same reach as social media platforms, especially with young people.
Magadalena, I agree. If they WANT to, they could establish an instagram account, turn off comments and dms and have only one post. That post will direct everyone to Sussex.com. Done. I don’t know that it’s necessary to do that.
@Magdelaina
🖕THIS, well said
Slow clap!
All of this, well said!
I deleted my social media profiles for my mental health, and I am so glad I don’t have to be on social media or trash media in order to get updates on The Sussexes. Love their way of releasing information. It’s elegant, and it gives them ownership of their images. Love this for them.
Exactly. I don’t get why people keep saying this. They said they won’t use typical social media because it’s so out and out bad. Instagram is not much better than Twitter or Facebook. I have seen hateful posts about them on all of those social media. And the way it works. Even if someone doesn’t follow you, they can still try to share, or screenshot content to talk crap about. I like that even the haters have to go to their site to see what they are doing and they can’t download the pictures.
When I watch or see these Invictus events it always strikes me that there is something truly beautiful happening and it shows. There is no competing with that and you certainly can’t replicate it. Sadly that family hasn’t learned that yet.
The invictus games are a lesson for all humanity, we have strangers that come together to compete at the games and do everything they can to show that injuries (big or small, visible or not) do not define a person. When watching the games it’s so apparent that the sence of comradship is still the most prevelant thing, because even though they are each and everyone, proud to represent their country, they are their yelling their support for each other and, when needs be, helping each other along. THAT is what family is about, THAT is what Harry and Megan are about, and THAT is something the left behind Royals will never have.
They, like the British rags do all they can to tear down, whilst Harry, along with his beautiful wife will continue to lift up.
Hear, hear, @Marypester!
Absolutely! The focus of the Olympics and sporting events is the individual and winning. What is unique about Invictus is its focus on, healing, both mental and physical; community, helping others and service. The whole event is a form of service.
Agreed, Harry has created a really beautiful event, for all of humanity.
Beautifully said, Mary Pester.
Mary Pester, agreed. ” because even though they are each and everyone, proud to represent their country, they are their yelling their support for each other and, when needs be, helping each other along. THAT is what family is about,” That is shown very clearly to anyone who watches the IG. It’s incredibly special.
The trip was successful. They should be proud of that. I don’t see Harry and Meghan ever getting a social media account but I think the Archewell Foundation will join Instagram.
Maybe now People Mag will start referring to Meghan by her title instead of keeping that honour just for Kate.
“Show up, Do good.” The Sussexes bring shine to every project they touch.
A lesson the Windsors cannot replicate. They simply lack the humility, empathy, and emotional intelligence for such acts of service. The Windsors couldn’t even bring themselves to offer well wishes and congratulations to the British IG competitors because they might be seen as praising Harry’s achievements
The royals are the worst. The Fall of the House of Windsor is well overdue!
The left-behind royals can wish all they want for Harry and Meghan’s shine, but it’s H&M’s innate goodness and decency that make them so luminous.
That can’t be copied, no matter how hard Kate tries.
This really was a fun 3 days and most importantly, brought attention and anticipation to Invictus having winter sports. Actually excited for them and can’t wait for next year. Would love to attend it. They looked relaxed and were having an amazing time, Harry was enthusiastic, charming and on point and Meghan looked incredible.
Harry and Meghan have spoken about social media ‘s problems-they worry about their children using it and seeing all the misinformation, hate, and ugly sides to people everywhere-I like what they have done which allows them to put up what they want and keep others from using their images for a buck-plus they use interviews to promote their projects also-God bless and keep the entire Sussex family safe and well.
This trip was the most relaxed I’ve seen Harry around the press since maybe ever? He generally is a lot more friendly with the press while doing Invictus stuff but this week he was joking with them and answering questions and at the last event with the wheelchair curling he actually came up to them and thanked them for covering Invictus. To their credit I think the press that was with them in Canada including the UK writers did a pretty good job of staying on topic and acting professionally towards not only H&M but also Invictus competitors and staff and the members of the Four Host First Nations.
Speaking of: i really loved the way that both Invictus and the Sussexes showed such reverance, gratitude and respect to the Four Host First Nations. One of the chiefs actually said that working with Invictus felt like a respectful partnership especially in comparison to how the Olympics dictated things to them. This is how you do diplomacy and decency properly.
If I were them I would avoid any social media. There’s praise today for how charges were dropped against Dan Wooton. Very suspicious yet no ‘Royalists’ ask.