If there is one phrase that best encapsulates the living philosophy of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it is the simple yet powerful line Meghan shared on Instagram: “Show up, do good.”

And in that spirit, on a late November day, instead of preparing for opulent parties or grand ceremonies, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose a cozier, more grounded setting: a charity kitchen. It wasn’t just the two of them; their entire family—Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4—rolled up their sleeves, joining the production line for thousands of meals destined for Angelenos in need.

FROM A SMALL KITCHEN TO A GRAND MISSION

This million-dollar moment didn’t take place on a red carpet, but amidst trays of meat and rice, and piles of bell peppers waiting to be sliced. Through their Archewell Foundation, Harry and Meghan partnered with Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA)—a community-run nonprofit kitchen that provides over 70,000 nourishing meals each year.

The images released by The Archewell Foundation paint a beautiful and authentic family picture. Harry, once in military fatigues, now wears an OBKLA smock, meticulously scooping meat and rice into containers. Meghan, in a matching apron and Archewell hat, holds little Lilibet’s hand, overseeing the work while ensuring her daughter’s safety.

But the true stars of the day were the two young Sussex children. Archie and Lili weren’t just watching; they were active participants on the packaging line. In one photo, Archie (who inherits his father’s striking red hair) and Harry are seen rolling balls of dough together, shaping the food. Lili, with her mother’s guidance, was also learning how to make delicious cookies. The photo Meghan shared of the finished product testified to the simple joy of manual labor and the spirit of dedicated, unreserved effort being passed from parents to children.

THE LESSON OF PRIVILEGE AND THE VALUE OF FOOD

This volunteer activity was not a random event; it was the perfect continuation of the parenting philosophy Meghan had previously shared.

In a past conversation, Meghan emphasized how she and Harry are teaching Archie and Lili the value of food and community spirit through the vegetable garden at their Montecito, California, home.

“We grow a lot of veggies, and part of what I want them to learn is—and gardening is really so great for children, ’cause it teaches them patience, teaches them to value and appreciate their food,” Meghan shared.

From planting the seed and waiting for it to sprout to the final harvest, Archie and Lili learn that everything requires time and effort. And from that, the larger lesson emerges: “Now, do you want to sell your harvest? And do you want to share it with our community?”

This is the crucial point: for Harry and Meghan, privilege comes with responsibility. She candidly noted: “I think that’s key for children to understand that, especially children who are very lucky to have a home that has privilege. You need to know that, just like manners, and taking care of the things around you, there is a value on things.”

By bringing their children to the OBKLA kitchen, where the most basic needs are met, they transformed gardening philosophy into concrete action. Archie and Lili witnessed firsthand the meaning of “sharing the harvest” and the connection between people.

THE THANKSGIVING SPIRIT OF INCLUSION

This day of service, occurring just ahead of their Thanksgiving festivities, further deepens its significance. Despite being a British royal family transplanted to the U.S., Harry and Meghan have warmly embraced this American holiday, turning it into a symbol of generosity.

Meghan revealed that she and Harry like to keep Thanksgiving “low-key” at home, with her mother, Doria Ragland, always welcomed. But more important than the ritual is the spirit of inclusion.

“I think you always make sure there’s room at the table for your friends who don’t have family, which is really key,” she said.

This ethos—extending the table to those who are lonely or in need—is the ultimate transformation of their meal-packaging volunteer work into a way of life. The Sussex family is not just providing food; they are providing belonging and hope.

With each passing year, as their children grow, Meghan expressed her eagerness to witness “the magic of the holidays through their lens.” And by teaching them to “show up, do good,” Harry and Meghan are ensuring that lens will always reflect empathy, compassion, and an unending spirit of service, forging a lasting humanitarian legacy that transcends any title.