Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are set to visit Jordan this week to meet with medical evacuees from Gaza and highlight humanitarian efforts amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. The couple, who stepped back from their roles as working royals six years ago, will arrive in Amman on Wednesday for a two-day tour focused on supporting displaced families and children affected by the ongoing violence.

Humanitarian Focus and Political Neutrality

The visit is described as a non-political humanitarian mission, according to a source close to the couple. The source emphasized that the trip reflects the couple’s commitment to pro-family, pro-children, and pro-peace initiatives. ‘Their continued humanitarian work has reflected this on a global non-partisan, non-politicised level,’ the source said.

During their visit, Harry and Meghan will meet with medical evacuees from Gaza, as well as visit initiatives they have financially supported that help with medical evacuations for children. The couple is being hosted by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), who has been a vocal advocate for child medical evacuations from the region.

Support for Medical and Humanitarian Efforts

Prince Harry has previously worked with Dr. Tedros. The pair visited London’s Centre for Blast Injury Studies in September, which helps military veterans and personnel, during Harry’s brief return to Britain. It was during that four-day visit that the Duke of Sussex met with his father, King Charles, for the first time in 19 months.

Soon after that visit, Harry donated $500,000 (approximately $700,000 AUD) to projects supporting injured children from Gaza and Ukraine, using funds from his and Meghan’s charitable foundation, Archewell. The money was given to help WHO with medical evacuations and to fund work developing prosthetics for children seriously hurt in the conflict.

At the time, Harry said: ‘No single organisation can solve this alone.’ He added: ‘Gaza now has the highest density of child amputees in the world and in history. It takes partnerships across government, science, medicine, humanitarian response and advocacy to ensure children survive and can recover after blast injuries.’

While in Jordan, the couple will also visit the regional headquarters of World Central Kitchen to hear about its food and humanitarian assistance to Gaza. During the aftermath of the LA fires last year, Harry and Meghan dropped in to a World Central Kitchen meal distribution site. The organisation’s founder José Andrés was a guest on season two of the duchess’ lifestyle show With Love, Meghan.

Highlighting Jordan’s Role and Mental Health

The Sussexes will also visit social development organisation Questscope at the Za’atari Refugee Camp, which is home to displaced Syrians. The couple will also shine a light on the mental health consequences of those affected by the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II and his wife have been outspoken on the humanitarian crisis in the region, with Queen Rania calling on the world’s leaders to do more to help the children affected by the conflict. The visit is expected to highlight Jordan’s role in the response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

This will be Prince Harry and Meghan’s most high-profile outing this year, following their recent exit from the UK royal family. The tour is not being done in support of the UK government and follows other, similar, foreign visits since their royal exit, including those to Nigeria and Colombia.

The couple informed Buckingham Palace of their plans to visit Jordan ahead of the announcement, according to UK media. The timing of the visit comes amid recent seismic developments with Harry’s family in the UK, including the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

As the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to escalate, the humanitarian efforts of Harry and Meghan are likely to draw significant attention. Their visit to Jordan highlights the ongoing global concern for the displaced and injured children in the region, while also highlighting the role of international organisations in providing medical and psychological support.