Prince Harry, Meghan Markle surprise Brooklyn school on World Mental Health Day

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex surprised a Brooklyn school on Tuesday to connect with students in honor of World Mental Health Day.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made an appearance at Industry City’s Marcy Lab School, which offers high school graduates from underprivileged backgrounds a one-year college alternative to prepare them for careers in technology. Students at the school learn not just how to code, but how to use a purpose-driven mindset to solve the world’s problems through tech.

During their visit, Harry spoke with a small group of students, where he stressed the importance of looking out for one another.

“Everyone’s got their own story, a reason for being here,” he said, according to People. “Your life is still going to be filled with complications and challenges. And if one of you starts to go quiet, doesn’t show up, you need to find out why.”

The couple then asked about the students’ experiences in today’s online landscape, which Meghan described as “a place where so much community can be built, but there’s also so much vulnerability.”

“There’s a lot of saturation, and as parents, we can be hopeful knowing that your bright minds [are at work],” she said. “Knowing that they will be seen, valued and growing in the right direction. And that’s why it’s so important what you’re doing at The Marcy Lab.”

In January, the former royals provided a grant to Marcy Lab through their Archewell Foundation, and have continued to meet with students and parents throughout the year.

The tuition-free school was founded in 2019 by teachers Maya Bhattacharjee-Marcantonio and Reuben Ogbonna, who set out to change the opportunities for young Black and Brown students in the tech sector.

Ogbonna said he was grateful for the time and effort the Duke and Duchess gave during their visit, describing the couple as “so cool and down to earth.”

Harry and Meghan’s appearance on Tuesday coincided with their visit to New York to host Archewell’s first-ever in-person event, Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age.

The event, held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day and moderated by Carson Daly, was designed “to give voice to families who are passionate about building a safer online world for children and teens.”

According to the foundation, the discussion was centered on “how we as a community, both globally and locally, are … developing solutions to empower families and uplift our collective mental well-being.” The conversation featured Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, along with parents who have experienced tragic loss connected to their child’s use of social media.

Tuesday marked the couple’s first time back in New York City since May, when Meghan was honored at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in Midtown Manhattan. The pair were swarmed by paparazzi as they were leaving the event, leading to a “near catastrophic car chase” that Mayor Adams called “reckless and irresponsible.”