Meghan Markle Says ‘It’s Easy’ To Make New People Feel Welcomed

Meghan Markle encouraged Americans to be more welcoming to new people this Thanksgiving.

The Duchess of Sussex, who hosted a dinner for Afghan women settling in the U.S., revealed in an interview that it is “easy” to treat people with care and respect.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly navigating “professional separation,” with the duke focusing on solo efforts like promoting the Invictus Games and launching educational initiatives.

In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Meghan urged Americans to welcome newcomers with open arms this Thanksgiving.

Earlier this month, the duchess hosted a dinner party in Los Angeles for Afghan women who have resettled in the U.S.

Regarding the duchess’ kind gesture, she was asked by the interviewer what other Americans can do to help women who found themselves in similar situations to her guests feel more comfortable in the country.

In Meghan’s response, the former actress emphasized the power of empathy, saying, “It’s really easy. Just think about how you’d want someone to treat you…how would you want someone to open their arms to you?”

According to the Daily Mail, the dinner event was held in collaboration with Mina’s List and Archewell’s The Welcome Project, an initiative focused on empowering women through programs like art, photography, cooking, sewing, hiking, and swimming.

During her event, Meghan shared: “You miss home, you miss your country and also can find comfort in the new community that you have here. I’m grateful that we are able to be a part of that community.”

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan have frequently opened up about the duchess’s challenges adapting to life within the Royal Family.

They have highlighted how the Firm could have done more to support the mother of two during her time as a working royal, noting that being part of the monarchy is “nothing like what it looks like.”

In their Netflix series, Meghan shared insights into her first encounters with royal traditions and expectations.

Recalling her initial meeting with Prince William and Kate Middleton, she explained how the monarchy’s formality continued behind closed doors.

“Even when Will and Kate came over and I was meeting her for the first time, I remember I was in ripped jeans, I was barefoot,” she recalled, per the Daily Mail. “Like I was a hugger, I have always been a hugger. I didn’t realize that is really jarring for a lot of Brits.”

Meghan added: “I started to understand that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside, that there is a forward facing way of being and then you close the door and think ‘OK we can relax now’ But that formality carries over on both sides and that was surprising to me.”

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are said to be navigating a period of professional separation, with recent reports indicating tension in their working relationship.

According to the New York Post, sources suggest that their collaboration is “in a very bad state.”

This comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been seen pursuing solo engagements in recent months.

Last week, Harry attended several Invictus Games-related events in Vancouver, Canada, while Meghan appeared alongside her celebrity friends at a beauty launch event.

The duke also made a solo trip to South Africa for his Sentebale charity, while Meghan focused on her personal projects and taking care of their kids.

While the Sussexes seemingly focus on their solo endeavors, they recently came together for a special video.

The couple, donning poppy pins, made a rare joint appearance earlier this month on the same day as Remembrance Day in the UK.

In the video, Harry acknowledged they had been “at a crossroads” professionally but reaffirmed their shared commitment to prioritizing children’s online safety through their Archewell Foundation.

“We are at a crossroads,” the prince said. “The urgency to reassess and redefine our approach to protecting children has become increasingly evident. While the necessity has always been apparent, it’s now time to translate that awareness into meaningful action.”

Harry and Meghan are expected to attend the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada, scheduled for February 8 to 16. The event will come 18 months after the 2023 games held in Germany.

According to PR expert and founder of No Strings Public Relations, Riley Gardiner, Harry is using his “professional separation” from Meghan to focus intently on his solo endeavors and rebuild his public image.

In an interview with the Daily Express, Gardiner shared his insights and praised Harry’s decision to promote the Invictus Games independently, calling it “a smart move” to keep attention on the sporting event.

“It means the spotlight can stay on the games and away from every little thing Meghan does,” and at the same time, “he’s showing respect for the athletes and the cause without any distractions,” he explained.

Gardiner further highlighted Harry’s recent efforts, such as the launch of an educational program for schools, which aims to teach children about “heroism and resilience.”

“He’s fostering empathy and understanding from a young age like the charitable work his mum championed,” Gardiner noted.