Prince Harry and Meghan Spotlight Plight of Syrian and Palestinian Children During Jordan Humanitarian Visit
Amman, Jordan — Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, undertook a two-day humanitarian visit to Jordan on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, where they met with Syrian refugees and Palestinian children affected by conflict, underscoring ongoing global concerns about displacement and war-related trauma that continues to affect millions. The visit represents the couple’s first major international humanitarian engagement in nearly two years and highlights their commitment to children’s welfare in conflict zones.
Invited by World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the couple’s visit is framed as a non-governmental effort to draw international attention to the needs of vulnerable populations caught up in decades-long crises in both Syria and Gaza, bringing their celebrity platform to bear on issues that often fade from headlines.
Meeting Refugees at Za’atari Camp
One of the highlights of the Sussexes’ first official engagement in Jordan was their walk through the Za’atari Refugee Camp, located north of the capital Amman, a sprawling settlement that has become synonymous with the Syrian displacement crisis. Established in 2012 to shelter Syrians fleeing civil war, it has grown into one of the largest refugee camps in the world, home to tens of thousands of people who have lost everything. Here they met families and children who have spent years in displacement, some since infancy, never knowing life outside the camp.
At Za’atari, the couple visited a youth centre run by Questscope, a social development NGO offering creative and therapeutic activities such as music, sport, and art for young refugees trying to process trauma through expression. Harry and Meghan joined children for a game of football and shared moments of laughter and conversation, with Meghan notably scoring a penalty shot and playing alongside the youngsters, creating genuine connections across cultural divides.
They also observed cultural activities, including musical performances by teens who use arts programs to build resilience and community amid adversity, finding hope through creativity. For many of the camp’s children, these activities serve as a critical emotional outlet after years of upheaval, loss, and uncertainty about the future.
Visiting Gaza Evacuees in Hospital
In addition to meeting refugees, Harry and Meghan visited the Specialty Hospital in Amman to meet Palestinian children evacuated from the Gaza Strip for urgent medical treatment they could not receive at home due to destroyed infrastructure. Many of these young patients have suffered serious injuries in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has persisted for more than two years with devastating civilian toll.
Photographs released by the WHO show the couple warmly conversing with the children and their families, listening to their stories and offering comfort in small but meaningful ways. The visit highlighted the human cost of the conflict and the importance of international cooperation in providing medical and psychological support to those affected, especially the youngest victims.
Their nonprofit organization, Archewell Philanthropies, has contributed funding to support these evacuation and care efforts, putting resources behind their advocacy. Harry has stated publicly that expanding access to mental health support for conflict-affected communities remains a central focus of their humanitarian work, recognising that physical healing alone is insufficient.
WHO Roundtable and Broader Discussions
Before visiting the camp and hospital, the Sussexes attended a roundtable discussion at the WHO’s Amman office, hosted by Tedros and attended by representatives from major UN agencies and international donors working across the region. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation on humanitarian and mental health initiatives in the Middle East.
Participants discussed the challenges of providing sustainable support to refugees and internally displaced people, including health services, education, and psychosocial care that can address deep trauma. The session emphasized that responses must go beyond short-term relief to include long-term investments in wellbeing and resilience, building systems that can endure.
Context of the Jordan Visit
Jordan has long been a refuge for people displaced by conflict, hosting millions of Palestinians and Syrians over the past decades with remarkable generosity despite limited resources. The Za’atari camp alone is home to tens of thousands of Syrians, while broader refugee populations from the Gaza crisis have also sought shelter or treatment in the kingdom, straining already stretched services.
The Sussexes’ trip also comes as their family’s public profile continues to evolve following their decision in 2020 to step back from senior royal duties and relocate to California, building independent philanthropic work. This marked their first major international humanitarian engagement in nearly two years and reinforces their continued involvement in global causes, especially those addressing the welfare of children impacted by war.
Looking Ahead
Over the next day of their visit, Harry and Meghan are expected to continue their engagements in Amman, including meetings with local officials, humanitarian workers, and partners such as World Central Kitchen, which coordinates food aid for Gaza from Jordan, demonstrating the breadth of their engagement.
Their presence in Jordan highlights both the ongoing plight of displaced populations in the Middle East and the role international advocacy can play in sustaining global attention on humanitarian crises long after they first erupt and news cycles move on. By lending their visibility to these issues, the Sussexes hope to keep the focus on those who need it most.
Conclusion
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Jordan visit brings royal attention to some of the world’s most vulnerable children — Syrian refugees who have known only camp life and Palestinian children recovering from war injuries. In meeting them, the couple reminds us that behind every statistic is a human story.
Harry and Meghan in Jordan: Football with refugees, comfort for children, and a spotlight on suffering that must not be forgotten.
