'It's OK to not be OK': Prince Harry and Meghan write messages of support to patients during visit to addicts rehab centre on second day of their quasi-royal tour of Jordan.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wrote messages of support to recovering addicts at a rehabilitation centre today during the second day of their quasi-royal tour of Jordan.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined a World Health Organisation (WHO) team as they spoke to patients at Amman's National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts.
Promoting mental health support is one of the themes of their visit, and the couple both wrote notes on a wall in an attempt to encourage those receiving treatment.
Meghan's note written in italic script on orange paper said: 'Congratulations on your dedication to your care. Wishing you continued healing and happiness.'
And Harry wrote on a separate yellow note: 'It's OK to not be OK. Trust each other. Congratulations on your recovery. Now share your courage and experience.'
Harry and Meghan also listened intently as a group of men described the emotional toll of substance abuse and the support they have received from the centre.
The couple described the facility as 'incredible' after hearing about its holistic approach to dealing with patients, providing activities like a gym and yoga classes.
After chatting to one man who was addicted to drugs but is now a mentor at the centre, Harry said: '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 into hospital. Now what you need to do is use this experience and go back into your communities and help other people who are in a similar situation.'
The couple visited the centre's gym and chatted to recovering addicts using rowing machines, and Harry asked one man: 'When you leave, will you continue exercising?'
When he replied 'Yes', Harry told him: 'New habits, good habits rather than bad habit - we all have bad habits.'
Meghan stood in the doorway of a yoga class and watched the men holding poses on the floor and introduced herself.
The centre, operating under Jordan's ministry of health's national centre for mental health, has a 40-bed capacity and was inaugurated in 2001.
It has served as a short-term residential and outpatient treatment centre, offering medical withdrawal services, psychological support and social counselling.
Earlier today, the couple visited a worldwide organisation feeding people in moments of crisis.
The Sussexes travelled to the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters where it coordinates and deploys a million hot meals across Gaza daily.
The organisation was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, a staunch supporter of the couple who appeared on the second season of Meghan's Netflix cookery show.
Established in 2010, World Central Kitchen uses a network of field and community kitchens, bakeries and partners to enable almost half of Gaza's population to be fed.
Buckingham Palace officials are understood to have been informed in advance of the couple's visit to Jordan - one of Prince William and Kate's favourite countries.
Yesterday, Harry and Meghan joined girls for a football session at the Za'atari refugee camp where thousands of Syrians have sought sanctuary. Meghan was left with bragging rights after she scored a penalty, while her husband's shot was saved.
Later the couple visited the Specialty Hospital in Amman. Children injured in Gaza have been treated there, and Meghan appeared emotional as she met Jaber, 17, who was shot in the legs, saying: 'I'm so glad you're getting the treatment that you need.'
Philip Hall, British Ambassador to Jordan, thanked the Sussexes for travelling to the Middle East, saying: 'I would simply say thank you very much indeed for coming.
'Your visit, your support, your appreciation of the efforts that the United Nations, including of course, the World Health Organisation, the government of Jordan and others, are making here is enormously appreciated. So thank you for coming.'
Jordan has received wave after wave of refugees beginning with Palestinians more than 80 years ago - who now number around 2.5 million people - and Syrians who fled conflict in their country until recently ruled by president Bashar al-Assad.
The latest wave of displaced people has flowed from the Israeli government's Gaza war against Hamas, launched after Hamas's atrocities during the October 7 attacks.
The trip comes just a week after Harry's uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested in Norfolk last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
This followed claims Andrew shared sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy. He has always denied wrongdoing.
Tags: Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Louis, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Meghan, Lilibet
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