Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Will Visit Sussex and Spend Time with Female Survivors of Sexual Abuse

The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Attend The Coach Core Awards

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)

published 27 September 2018

Next week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will visit Sussex for the first time. It's fitting for the royal couple who, you know, are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. (opens in new tab) The Queen gave the title to the royal couple (opens in new tab) the morning of their wedding on May 19. This is a major moment for Harry and Meghan not only because they will be visiting the region they represent, but also because of the organizations they're choosing to visit.

On October 3, the couple will see the historic Sussex Declaration and open the University of Chichester Tech Park in West Sussex. They'll also visit the Royal Pavilion and Peacehaven Youth Center in East Sussex. But perhaps the most notable visit is to the Survivors' Network, the rape crisis service center in Sussex.

The Survivors' Network (opens in new tab) was established in 1990 by female survivors of childhood sexual abuse "to provide services that would support other female survivors of childhood sexual abuse," according to the organization's website (opens in new tab). With Christine Blasey Ford testifying (opens in new tab) against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh today, it's a timely move for Kensington Palace to announce Meghan and Harry's visit—a clear nod of the couple's support for survivors across the world.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make their first official visit to Sussex on 3rd October. In West Sussex they will see the historic Sussex Declaration & open @chiuni Tech Park. In East Sussex they will visit the Royal Pavilion, @SurvivorsnetBtn & Peacehaven Youth Centre. pic.twitter.com/eDlyRUlSKsSeptember 27, 2018

Aside from this event, Harry and Meghan will be extremely busy throughout October. The trip to Sussex comes a couple weeks before they head to the Pacific (opens in new tab) and visit New Zealand, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Australia for their two-week royal tour.

Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.