The Duke of Sussex delivered a powerful message to a group of recovered addicts in Jordan, encouraging them to support others in their communities and declaring: "There’s no shame in having an addiction."
During their second day in the country, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, visited the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman.
The royal couple listened intently as men shared the emotional impact of substance abuse and the crucial support provided by the facility.
They lauded the centre’s holistic approach, which incorporates activities like gym sessions and yoga classes, describing its work as "incredible".
After speaking to one man who was addicted to drugs but now works as 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”, the duke 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 the Ministry of Health’s National Centre for Mental Health, has a 40-bed capacity and since its inauguration in 2001, has served as a short-term residential and outpatient treatment centre offering medical withdrawal services, psychological support and social counselling.
During the visit, the couple were invited to write messages of support along with a World Health Organisation delegation they were travelling with, including its director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, who invited the couple to Jordan.
Harry’s message on a sticky-note, left on a wall with others, read: “It’s ok to not be ok. Trust each other.
“Congratulations on your recovery. Now share your courage and experience.”
His wife wrote in italic script: “Congratulations on your dedication to your care. Wishing you continued healing and happiness.”
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