On Wednesday (August 2), Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a video through their Archewell Foundation and in collaboration with the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund – which recently awarded $2 million to an inaugural cohort of 26 young leaders and organizations in the technology space.
In the video, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex connect with some of the innovators and campaigners via a congratulatory phone call – thanking and celebrating them for their ongoing efforts ‘to build a more inclusive, equitable, and accountable online world’ through the power of technology and innovation.
“Thank you for doing everything that you do. Our kids especially are incredibly grateful,” Prince Harry said to one of the grantees – referring to the couple’s two children (4-year-old son, Prince Archie, and 2-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet. “They don’t know it yet, but they will!” Meghan Markle chimed in.
The Archewell Foundation was founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in October 2020 – roughly 10 months after the couple announced their decision to step back as senior members of the Royal Family. According to the foundation’s official website, Archewell’s ‘core purpose is, quite simply, to do good.’
On February 18, the Archewell Foundation announced its participation in the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund (RTYPF) as part of its ongoing commitment to the future of technology and the impact it has on society. At the time, the RTYPF was accepting applicants from young leaders around the world.
Now nearly six months later, the RTYPF and Archewell Foundation are congratulating and celebrating the ‘inaugural cohort of 26 inspiring young people and organizations.’ According to their initial announcement, the grantees were ‘selected for their groundbreaking approach to changing the future of technology.’
Together, the 26 grantees will work on a range of innovative projects – including the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), improvement of education access, leveraging of platforms to address social and environmental challenges, and the promotion of the safety and well-being of online communities.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Speak With the Grantees
In their recent video, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry talk to members of the inaugural cohort and commend them for their ongoing efforts in the technology space – sharing their excitement for what the future holds. It was a wonderful gesture that meant a lot to those that received a call from the couple.
“It was exciting, to say the least, to have a chat with them. It was also just impactful knowing that they were a part of this fund and they took the time to personally congratulate and thank some of the members of the cohort,” Tazin Khan Norelius of Cyber Collective – one of the inaugural grantees – told PEOPLE.
Sam Hiner of the Young People’s Alliance Education Fund – another inaugural grantee – appreciated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took the time to recognize the incredible work young people are doing around the world, especially since he feels young people often aren’t recognized for their advocacy.
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The video was also the first time Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had been seen together in several months – their last public appearance being in May, when they complained of an alleged car chase. While recent rumors suggest their marriage is a bit rocky at the moment, everything seemed fine in the video!
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