Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, marked Thanksgiving this year by participating in a community service event at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA). The nonprofit, known for preparing meals for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, welcomed the couple along with their children, Archie and Lilibet, for a day centered on service and community engagement.
The visit was organized in partnership with the Archewell Foundation, which has supported a variety of community-focused initiatives since its launch. According to OBKLA and Archewell’s publicly shared updates, the Thanksgiving programme brought together volunteers to prepare meals and assemble care packages, offering an opportunity for families to contribute together.
A Family-Focused Day of Service
Photographs from the event, released through OBKLA’s social media channels, showed Prince Harry and Meghan participating in food preparation activities. The charity later shared appreciation for the family’s support, noting that volunteer participation from individuals and families helps sustain many of its outreach programs.
Observers also took note of the rare appearance of Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, who joined their parents for the activity. In images provided by the organization, the children were seen assisting with simple tasks under staff supervision. Supporters on social media commented positively on the family’s involvement, highlighting the importance of encouraging young children to participate in community service from an early age.
Social Media Reactions to the Event
As is common with high-profile public figures, the images shared online prompted a wide range of social responses. While many social media users commended the Sussexes for using the holiday to support a local cause, others engaged in discussions about details captured in the photographs, including attire and styling choices. Such reactions are typical of online commentary surrounding public appearances of well-known personalities, where visual details often become topics of conversation.
Public discussions relating to photos of the children also emerged online. These varied widely, reflecting the broad spectrum of opinions commonly found on social platforms. Though such conversations frequently go viral, they do not represent verified or official information, and the family did not issue any public statements regarding online reactions.
Previous Glimpses Into Family Life Shared Through Official Channels
The Thanksgiving event followed several months of increased public interest in the Sussex family after Meghan shared personal behind-the-scenes photos from the production of her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan. The images, posted on her verified Instagram account earlier in the year, offered a carefully curated look at moments on set.
The publicly shared photos included:
• Archie and Lilibet watching a production monitor, photographed from behind
• Lilibet seated in a director’s chair, with her face turned away from the camera
• Archie holding a clapperboard, with his face covered by an emoji to maintain privacy
These images marked one of the most open glimpses into the Sussexes’ family life since they stepped back from senior royal responsibilities in 2020. Meghan also wrote in interviews earlier this year that her children occasionally visited her during filming, describing these moments as meaningful opportunities for them to see her at work.
Context Behind Meghan’s Public Engagements in 2025
Throughout 2025, Meghan continued to balance her media projects with public engagements linked to charitable and community initiatives. Earlier in the year, her brief appearance at events surrounding the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sports competition founded by Prince Harry, also drew online interest. Meghan returned to California before the closing ceremony and later shared lighthearted photos on social media showing small souvenirs she brought home for her children.
As with many posts from high-profile public figures, online responses varied widely. Some users expressed positive remarks about the gesture, while others offered differing opinions. These reactions, however, were primarily centered on general online discourse rather than on any official statements or verified information.
Continuing Commitment to Community Work Through Archewell
Since its establishment, the Archewell Foundation has partnered with a range of nonprofits focusing on community resilience, mental health support, technology ethics, and relief efforts. Their collaborations—such as food distribution programs, community kitchens, and youth support initiatives—are regularly documented through the foundation’s official channels.
The Thanksgiving volunteer day at OBKLA reflects this ongoing commitment to service, particularly in programs that address food insecurity. OBKLA, which has been serving the Los Angeles community for years, frequently hosts families, schools, and community groups, making the Sussex family’s participation consistent with the organization’s inclusive volunteer model.
Public Interest Remains High in the Sussex Family
As Prince Harry and Meghan continue public work in California and abroad, interest in their family life remains strong. Their projects in media, philanthropy, and advocacy often generate significant attention, with each public appearance attracting discussion across various online platforms.
While the family maintains a selective approach to sharing personal details—especially regarding their children—occasional glimpses offered through verified channels tend to generate widespread interest. The Thanksgiving event followed this pattern, blending philanthropy with a rare instance of the family participating publicly together.
A Focus on Service During the Holiday Season
Despite the online conversations that followed the photos, the central purpose of the event—increasing awareness of food insecurity and encouraging volunteer participation—remained clear. OBKLA expressed gratitude for the heightened visibility the Sussexes brought to its mission, emphasizing that community partnerships are essential to sustaining its operations during the holiday season.
As the Archewell Foundation continues supporting service-oriented programs, the Thanksgiving outreach event stands as one example of the couple’s ongoing efforts to engage with organizations working directly at the community level.