Prince Harry is set to deliver the keynote address on workplace mental health at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit, which will be held in Melbourne, Australia, from April 15 to 16. This marks a significant solo engagement for the Duke of Sussex as he prepares for his first visit to Australia since 2018.
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The announcement about Prince Harry’s participation in the summit follows news that his wife, Meghan Markle, will headline the “Her Best Life Retreat” in Sydney during the same trip. The couple’s planned visit signals a return to public engagements after stepping back from their royal duties in 2020. The Duke’s involvement at the summit underscores his longstanding commitment to mental health advocacy, a cause he has championed for over a decade.
The InterEdge Summit aims to unite industry leaders, policymakers, and mental health advocates to share effective strategies for fostering psychologically safe workplaces. A statement regarding the event highlighted its focus on organisational responsibility and evidence-based change, aiming to equip attendees with the insights necessary to improve workplace culture and wellbeing.
Interest in the summit is high, with tickets currently available for AU$1,978 (approximately £1,075), with proceeds supporting Lifeline Naarm, a crisis support and suicide prevention service in Australia. Alongside Prince Harry, other notable speakers at the event will include psychologist Dr. Amy Cuddy and retired tennis champion Jelena Dokic.
Mental health advocacy is a cause profoundly relevant to Prince Harry, who has openly discussed his personal experiences with mental health issues. His efforts to reduce stigma surrounding mental health have continued to evolve following his departure from royal duties, with his philanthropic work now centred under Archewell Philanthropies, the charitable organisation he founded with Meghan.
As part of their visit, Meghan Markle will be the star attraction at the Her Best Life Retreat, which is organised by the Her Best Life podcast. Scheduled for April 17 to 19 at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, the retreat promises a weekend of empowerment for women, featuring a range of activities such as a gala dinner, yoga, and a disco party.
Meghan’s participation aligns with her passion for female empowerment, and she is expected to lead conversations aimed at encouraging women to pursue self-improvement and support one another. According to podcast co-host Gemma O’Neill, Meghan’s involvement is driven by her admiration for the community’s mission of uplifting women.
The couple’s return to Australia marks a significant moment in their public journey, coming nearly seven years since their last visit in October 2018. During that trip, they made headlines by announcing Meghan’s pregnancy with their first child, Prince Archie.
Their children, Prince Archie, now aged six, and Princess Lilibet, aged four, will not be accompanying them on this trip as they continue with their humanitarian efforts. Previously, the children had also remained behind during Harry and Meghan’s recent visit to Jordan.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s journey reflects their ongoing commitment to advocacy and public engagement, with an emphasis on mental health and the empowerment of women. As they prepare for their Australian engagements, anticipation builds about the impact they will have as they connect with communities and share their stories.