Fresh from receiving one of their most meaningful honors to date, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were spotted embracing a lighter moment in New York City — a quiet lunch with one of their closest friends, tennis legend Serena Williams. On Friday, October 10, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made time to unwind at Soho House, where they dined privately with Williams following a busy week of public appearances that placed their ongoing mental health advocacy in the spotlight. The outing, confirmed by PEOPLE, reflected both the couple’s grounded approach to fame and their enduring friendships beyond the palace walls.
The lunch came just a day after the royal couple accepted the Humanitarians of the Year Award at Project Healthy Minds’ third annual World Mental Health Day Gala. The recognition celebrated their tireless work through the Archewell Foundation to build a safer, more compassionate digital world. In a joint statement shared earlier, Meghan and Harry described the initiative as some of the most meaningful work of their lives. “Working with families and young people to prioritize safety online has been some of the most meaningful work of our lives. As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of their stories and are honored to support them,” they said. “We’re proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds as we work together to shine a light on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
Their words echoed the mission that has shaped their philanthropic efforts since leaving official royal duties — a focus on compassion-driven change through storytelling, mental health awareness, and community building. That message was further amplified during the World Mental Health Day Festival on October 10, where Meghan and Harry joined a constellation of advocates and public figures including Katie Couric, Carson Daly, Deepak Chopra, and Sophia Bush. It was a moment that fused purpose and presence, as the couple used their platform to spotlight the emotional realities behind social media and youth mental health.
Under the Archewell Foundation, the Sussexes founded The Parents’ Network, a support hub designed for families whose children have faced harm from social media. The initiative, launched at the same festival in 2023, has become a cornerstone of their digital safety advocacy. For Meghan and Harry, who are parents to Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, the cause is both professional and profoundly personal. Their projects often blend advocacy with empathy — an approach that resonates deeply with the families they aim to help.
Beyond their work, the couple’s New York trip carried moments of reflection and friendship. Meghan, 44, and Williams, also 44, share a long-standing bond that began in 2010 when they first met at the Super Bowl. Four years later, they reconnected and, as Meghan once described, “hit it off immediately.” Since then, their friendship has endured across milestones — from royal weddings to shared moments of professional triumph. Friday’s lunch was a natural continuation of that connection: two women who have navigated extraordinary public lives while maintaining a foundation of mutual respect and genuine camaraderie.
The Duchess of Sussex’s connection to New York City runs deeper than a brief visit. It’s a place of both celebration and solidarity for her. In May 2023, she returned to the city to receive the Woman of Vision Award from the Ms. Foundation, appearing alongside Prince Harry and her mother, Doria Ragland — a moment that symbolized her evolution from royal family member to independent advocate for equality and empowerment. Years earlier, in February 2019, Meghan’s baby shower at The Mark Hotel drew a constellation of friends, including Amal Clooney, Gayle King, Abigail Spencer, and of course, Serena Williams. Her longtime friend and wedding makeup artist, Daniel Martin, later told PEOPLE, “It was exactly what she needed, and it was a reunion for all of us who hadn’t seen each other since the wedding.”
This consistent thread of connection — whether through advocacy, friendship, or personal milestones — defines much of Meghan’s public life today. It’s a portrait of a woman who balances visibility with purpose, glamour with groundedness. And for Prince Harry, who has channeled his own experiences into global conversations about trauma, mental health, and resilience, their shared mission continues to evolve beyond the headlines.
Together, their time in New York embodied both sides of their story — the serious and the serene. One day, they’re speaking passionately onstage about the digital safety of the next generation; the next, they’re laughing over lunch with an old friend who’s walked a similar road in the public eye. It’s this blend of advocacy and authenticity that continues to define the Sussexes’ post-royal narrative: a modern approach to influence rooted not in hierarchy, but in humanity.
For those studying the power of public storytelling, Meghan and Harry’s New York visit offers a valuable lesson in brand identity and emotional resonance. Their presence was carefully balanced — visible enough to inspire, personal enough to feel real. They’ve learned that in an age of oversaturation, connection, not exposure, builds trust. Whether through their work with Project Healthy Minds or a quiet afternoon with Serena Williams, the couple’s choices reveal a deliberate form of communication — one that reminds us that the most effective narratives are those lived sincerely, not performed. In the end, their message in New York was simple yet profound: influence isn’t measured by spotlight, but by the light you leave behind.
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