What New Project Has Prince William, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Kate Middleton All Teaming Up?
Since the announcement that Prince William and Prince Harry were splitting the royal household, people have been wondering if there was tension between the royal brothers.
For a while, it seemed like new reports of rifts between William and Harry were coming out every day.
“They have always been different, they are very different characters,” a source told People of the royal brothers. “They drew great comfort from each other when their mother died, and as they’ve grown up together. But they need to be separate. Now Meghan has arrived it is the right time to make that break.”
Though the brothers have successfully split their households, they are coming together for a good cause.
What new project are Prince William and Prince Harry working on?
This week, the royal family announced that William, Harry, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle would be launching Shout. The program will help people who are in need of mental health assistance.
“I am proud to announce the launch of @GiveUsAShout, a new 24-7 text line that supports people who need advice in a tough moment,” the Kensington Palace account announced.
“At the heart of Shout will be an incredible national volunteer community — I hope you will join us, and be part of something very special #GiveUsAShout.”
The program will be affiliated with the Crisis Text Line which has been in the United States for over five years. Throughout its time in use, the line has received over 100 million messages.
When did the royals join the project?
Launching Shout has been in the works for years and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the cause last year.
“Earlier last year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began supporting this vital program behind the scenes by hosting a meeting at Kensington Palace with contributors and partners,” the announcement on the couple’s Instagram page read.
“Last November, Their Royal Highnesses also made a surprise visit to meet with a group of Shout volunteers, and participated in a panel with mental health activist @bryonygordon hearing firsthand how the volunteers have found making the connection with vulnerable texters, a majority of whom are under 25, so rewarding – helping to get them through a moment of crisis to a calmer place, and giving them courage to find longer-term support.”
The team now has over 1,000 volunteers and has helped over 60,000 people.
Why is the royal family working with Shout?
The royal family has been advocates of mental health for years.
“They’re really the first celebrities around the world to really take on mental health,” Nancy Lublin, the CEO and founder of Crisis Text Line, told People. “It’s been so personal and they’ve done such a fantastic job elevating the issue and reducing stigma.”
And the royals aren’t just the faces of the program. They actually have a hand in making sure it runs smoothly.
“They’ve visited our offices multiple times in the U.K., they’ve met with volunteers — which is so special,” Lublin continued. “They’ve really been very hands-on.”
“I think it’s so powerful,” she said. “We really couldn’t ask for better spokespeople and champions. Mental health is the epidemic of this generation.”
Read more: First Glimpse at Baby Sussex: Everything We Know About the Baby So Far
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