Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised a teenage girl with a Zoom mentoring session and shared advice on how to ‘overcome challenges’, source tells People
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised teen with a Zoom mentoring session
- Marked Women’s History Month by urging others to carry out ‘act of compassion’
- Surprise phone call was organized by LA Works and I Have a Dream Foundation
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised a teenager with a Zoom mentoring session after seeing her ‘potential in a few short minutes,’ according to LA Works Executive Director Deborah Brutchey.
The Duke, 36, and the Duchess of Sussex, 39, marked International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by urging others to embark on ‘acts of compassion’.
Taking to their Archewell Foundation website, the couple penned: ‘We know the world is asking more and more of women every day – as wage earners, leaders, educators, carers, and more. In recognition of International Women’s Day, let’s unleash a groundswell of real acts of compassion for the women in your life and in your community.’
One of the suggestions was to ‘tutor a teenage girl who is navigating high school on her computer’ – and the royal couple decided to undertake it personally.
‘She had this moment of surprise and excitement when she got on the phone with the Duke and Duchess,’ LA Works Executive Director Deborah Brutchey said, speaking to PEOPLE. ‘She knew of them, she knew a lot – she had been following Meghan’s story quite a bit, so she was very excited that she had the opportunity to speak with them.’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry surprised a teenager with a Zoom mentoring session after seeing her ‘potential in a few short minutes,’ according to LA Works Executive Director Deborah Brutchey. Pictured, surprise appearance at the #SpotifyStreamOn event last month
The act of kindness was organized by LA Works and the I Have a Dream Foundation, which aims to ensure children have the possibility to achieve higher education (pictured)
The act of kindness was organized by LA Works and the I Have a Dream Foundation, which aims to ensure children have the possibility to achieve higher education.
And the royal fan, who was ‘inspired’ by the couple’s ‘compassion,’ was left ‘moved’ following the surprise phone call.
‘It was really significant for her because they saw her potential in a few short minutes, which actually really undid some damage that had been previously caused by a former teacher’s doubt,’ explained Deborah.
‘It was just amazing how they were able to connect and how their compassion, in just a short conversation, really made an impact and is going to forever inspire her.’
The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex also went on to give the royal fan some words of wisdom on how to overcome day-to-day challenges. Pictured, during their interview with Oprah Winfrey which was broadcast in the US on March 7
The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex also went on to give the royal fan some words of wisdom on how to overcome day-to-day challenges.
Deborah added: ‘The conversation that they had was really about how do you overcome challenges in your life? And how do you stay true to your values?
‘Things that are so relatable to young girls but also so public in what the Duke and Duchess have gone through.’
After noticing the teen had sunflowers in her room, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly sent her a bouquet, along with an encouraging note.
L.A. Works helps to connect volunteers in California with varied issues, ranging from animal welfare to homelessness.