Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is set to host a virtual Christmas party on December 10, 2024, for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity dedicated to supporting children who have lost parents in military service. Scotty’s has supported more than 700 children and young people this year through a range of programs and a community network and continues to serve youth up to the age of 25.
The organization announced that the Duke of Sussex, 40, plans to connect with as many members as possible to extend holiday greetings. An email sent to members explained that Prince Harry understands the festive season can be challenging for charity members and wants them to feel supported.
During the session, Harry will greet participants, respond to several pre-submitted questions, and interact directly with five selected members who will help facilitate the event.
Harry has maintained a connection with Scotty’s Little Soldiers since 2017, demonstrating his commitment to supporting children who have lost parents in military service. In a recent letter to the charity’s members, Harry shared his understanding of losing a parent at a young age, reflecting on the death of his mother, Princess Diana, when he was 12.
Notably, this event will be conducted without the participation of his wife, Meghan Markle, highlighting the couple’s recent trend of pursuing separate professional endeavors.
In recent months, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have increasingly appeared at separate public events, fueling speculation about the state of their marriage. Meghan has been concentrating on developing her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and working on a Netflix cooking show. She also attended the launch of her friend Kadi Lee’s haircare line, Highbrow Hippie, in Los Angeles, where she was seen mingling with friends and industry professionals.
Meanwhile, Harry has attended solo engagements, including appearances at the Clinton Global Initiative and Jimmy Fallon’s show. He also made a surprise solo appearance at the Grey Cup in Vancouver, Canada, promoting the upcoming Invictus Games.
This pattern of separate appearances has led some to question the strength of their relationship. While they continue collaborating on initiatives like the Archewell Foundation, their recent solo engagements suggest a strategic approach to balancing personal and professional endeavors.
Renae Smith, the founder and director of PR firm Atticism, shared with the media that while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to focus on their own paths could prove beneficial in the long run, it may lead to some negative consequences in the short term.
Smith explained that their move to develop individual brands could ultimately work in their favor over time, but it is likely to provoke public speculation in the near future. She also noted that, from a public relations standpoint, this shift could enable them to establish distinct brands that align more closely with their respective priorities and resonate better with their individual audiences.
Despite their separate professional endeavors, the couple recently appeared together in a video addressing online safety for children at a United Nations conference in Colombia. Royal expert Richard Eden added,” I think it’s fair to say that it was a conscious effort to say we’re still together as a couple.”