Boycott: New Yorkers Refuse to Pay Sussexes’ Bills for Archwell Parents’ Summit

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to make a return to New York City in mid-October for the Archwell Mental Health Summit, marking the foundation's first-ever in-person event.

Scheduled for October 10th, the summit aims to assist families in navigating children's mental health and well-being in the digital era.

According to People magazine, the event particularly targets parents who have faced challenges related to their child's social media usage.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared that families involved with the Archwell Foundation over the past year have fostered a sense of community and worked together towards finding solutions.

The couple is dedicated to sharing personal experiences, data, and research to prevent similar issues from affecting other families.

Joining them at the summit will be US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy for a panel discussion on mental health, moderated by Carson Daly.

Despite being labeled as a summit, the event is essentially a one to one and a half hour panel discussion, which some find to be less grandiose than implied.

Notably, the Archwell Foundation, established in 2020, is hosting its first in-person event after three years of operation.

Additionally, Project Healthy Minds, a long-time partner of Meghan and Harry's foundation, is collaborating with them for the second consecutive year.

However, the royal couple has faced criticism from New York residents following the announcement of their upcoming visit.

The negative reactions may stem from a previous staged car chase incident that left locals questioning Meghan and Harry's choice of location.

Despite the backlash, the couple seems undeterred, with Meghan possibly relishing the attention, much to the dismay of critics who accuse them of exacerbating mental health issues.

Reports suggest that the Archwell Parents' Summit has encountered difficulties in selling tickets, as some New York parents have initiated a boycott.

Allegations claim that funds raised through ticket sales are intended to cover Meghan's expenses, including security, catering, and speaker fees.

Questions have arisen regarding the timing of the event on a weekday, potentially hindering attendance for working parents and school-going children.

Critics speculate that the summit may serve as another fundraising endeavor for the Archwell Foundation, with a minimal portion allocated to actual charitable causes.

Concerns have also been raised about the couple's past controversies, such as allegations of coercing students to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Meanwhile, a Forbes article highlighting World Mental Health Day events notably excludes Meghan and Harry as speakers, suggesting their involvement may be orchestrated by talent agencies.

As the summit date approaches, alternative mental health events in New York, including Project Healthy Minds' festival and Glenn Close's Bring Change to Mind Gala, draw attention away from the Sussexes.

The gala, where Meghan was reportedly uninvited, features prominent figures like Ryan Reynolds and notable personalities from various fields.

Amidst controversies and criticisms, Meghan and Harry's upcoming summit faces challenges in garnering public support and participation.