The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, offered a comforting hand to a young burns victim from Gaza during an emotional hospital visit in Jordan, as she and Prince Harry embarked on a surprise two-day tour of the Middle Eastern nation. The Sussexes travelled to Jordan to gain deeper insights into the extensive efforts to support both Syrian and Palestinian refugees who have sought sanctuary there over recent decades, following prolonged regional conflicts.
Hospital Visit Highlights Trauma of War Injuries
On the first day of their itinerary, Harry and Meghan visited the Specialty Hospital in Amman, where they engaged with medical professionals caring for evacuees. There, they met 14-year-old Maria from Gaza, who sustained severe burns on her right leg and foot. Meghan smiled warmly as she crouched down to hold Maria's hand, offering solace to the teenager.
Maria's injuries stem from a devastating explosion that killed six members of her family, including her parents, leaving her with post-traumatic stress disorder and severe burns that necessitated the amputation of toes on her right foot. During the visit, her blanket was removed with permission to show the dressings and her foot, a moment that visibly pained Prince Harry.
Meeting Other Patients and Medical Insights
The couple also met Jaber, a 17-year-old patient whose legs were supported by a metal frame. Harry expressed relief, saying, "I'm so glad you're getting the treatment that you need," as Jaber was assessed at the private hospital. Dr. Hamzeh Odeh, the emergency department manager at Specialty Hospital, commented on the visit, noting, "This is what you expect from war, they're war injuries. But some of the injuries are not directly related to the war, it's because of the lack of doctors, lack of medication."
Refugee Camp Activities and Youth Engagement
Earlier in the day, Harry and Meghan joined Syrian children at the Za'atari Refugee Camp, where Meghan scored a penalty kick during football training, celebrating triumphantly as her husband's shot was saved. The camp houses tens of thousands of displaced Syrians in semi-permanent homes.
The Sussexes also toured a youth centre operated by the social development organisation Questscope, which offers activities such as art, photography, music, and sport to engage youngsters and help alleviate mental health issues. In classrooms, they watched teenage girls playing traditional Arabic instruments and other musicians performing with violins and guitars.
Personal Interactions and Language Surprises
Conversations were facilitated through an interpreter, but when Harry asked violinists if they had made friends through the lessons, 15-year-old Siham, a refugee who arrived in Jordan at age two, replied in perfect English, "yes we're friends." She further impressed the couple by revealing she holds a black belt in taekwondo.
Roundtable Discussion and Diplomatic Context
Prior to these visits, Harry and Meghan participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Philip Hall, the British Ambassador to Jordan, thanked the Sussexes, stating, "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."
The couple, who stepped down as working royals in 2020, travelled to Jordan at the invitation of WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. While they informed Buckingham Palace as a courtesy, a source emphasised that the trip was not undertaken on behalf of the UK Government and does not reflect their political views.
Historical Refugee Waves in Jordan
Jordan has experienced successive waves of refugees, starting with Palestinians over 80 years ago, who now number around 2.5 million, followed by Syrians fleeing conflict under President Bashar al-Assad. The latest influx includes displaced individuals following the Israeli government's Gaza war against Hamas, which was triggered by Hamas atrocities against Israeli civilians during the October 7 attacks.
This visit underscores the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the region and the Sussexes' commitment to raising awareness about refugee support initiatives, blending personal empathy with broader advocacy efforts during their time in Jordan.
