Prince Harry pens deeply personal message on day 2 of Jordan trip: 'It's OK to not be OK'

 

Courage in Amman: Prince Harry and Meghan Conclude Jordan Trip with a Moving Message

On the final day of their whirlwind humanitarian tour of Jordan, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pivoted from the global stage of policy roundtables to the deeply personal world of mental health and recovery. Visiting the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts (NCRA) in Amman, the Duke of Sussex delivered a powerful reminder of his long-standing advocacy for emotional well-being, leaving behind a message that is resonating far beyond the clinic’s walls.

"It’s OK to Not be OK"

Standing before a "Wall of Encouragement" at the facility, Harry and Meghan were invited to leave handwritten notes for those battling substance abuse. In his familiar scrawl, the Duke wrote a message of profound empathy: "It’s OK to not be OK. Trust each other. Congratulations on your recovery. Now share your courage and experience."

Meghan added her own note of support in her signature calligraphic style, writing: "Congratulations on your dedication to your care. Wishing you continued healing and happiness."

The Duke's words—a phrase he has championed since the launch of the Heads Together campaign years ago—felt particularly poignant against the backdrop of the ongoing turmoil back in the UK. Insiders noted that the message seemed to be a universal call for vulnerability and trust during difficult times.

Breaking the Stigma

During the visit, the couple met with patients who have benefited from the center's holistic approach, which includes everything from medical detox to yoga and rowing. Harry, 41, spoke candidly with the men about the roots of addiction, telling them:

"I want you guys to know there’s no shame in having an addiction. It stems from something else, which is an emotional pain—you’re very, very brave to come here."

In a lighter moment at the facility’s gym, Harry even joked with a man on a rowing machine about "bad habits," admitting with a smile, "We all have bad habits—the key is replacing them with good ones."

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A Global Focus on Healing

The day concluded with a high-stakes visit to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) regional headquarters. There, the Sussexes connected via video link with humanitarian workers currently operating in Gaza. As long-term partners of WCK through their Archewell Foundation, the couple received a briefing on the immense challenge of providing millions of meals to those displaced by conflict.

As they boarded their flight back to California, the Sussexes left behind an image of a couple deeply immersed in "boots-on-the-ground" philanthropy. While the world watches the "royal crisis" unfold in London, Harry and Meghan have spent their 48 hours in Jordan focusing on a different narrative: one of resilience, recovery, and the simple, human courage required to say, "I'm not okay."