In a week filled with royal highlights, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — have landed in New York City ahead of Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala, scheduled for October 9. The royal couple is set to receive the Humanitarians of the Year Award in recognition of their efforts toward mental health awareness and global well-being.
Meanwhile, back in the United Kingdom, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, celebrated a different kind of hero. On October 8, he presented the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) medal to the late Agnes Slocombe, the first Black Mayor of Barnet, honoring her decades of public service and advocacy.
In a heartfelt moment shared on the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William was seen presenting the posthumous award to Agnes’s daughter, Paulette.
“Spotlighting Agnes Slocombe MBE, whose daughter Paulette, collected her mother’s honour posthumously today,” read the post. “Agnes was a part of the Windrush Generation and was Barnet’s first black mayor. She served her community for over 40 years.”
Prince William congratulated all honourees of the day, including Love Island star Georgia Harrison and cricketer Steve Davies, who were also recognized for their public contributions.
Just hours after the ceremony, across the Atlantic, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were celebrated for their humanitarian efforts at the World Mental Health Day event. In their statement, the couple expressed gratitude for the honor and reaffirmed their dedication to mental health advocacy:
“We are proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds as we work together to shine a light on one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
The event and awards have been widely covered by international media, including BBC News, CNN, and The Guardian, emphasizing the continued influence of the British royal family in humanitarian and public service initiatives worldwide.
