Prince Harry and Meghan Markle thank ‘inspirational’ Sussex supporters

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have thanked Sussex supporters for launching a global campaign to plant 10, 000 trees in their honour.  

Taking to the Sussex Royal Instagram story, the royals penned: ‘Huge thanks to the amazing group of people who have launched the grassroots Sussex Great Forest initiative. What a special surprise!’

Explaining the campaign, the Duke, 35, and Duchess of Sussex, 38, continued: ‘The aim of this project is to plant 10, 000 trees around the world by ‘donating globally and planting locally. We are so inspired! Thank you!’ 

In just three days after the launch, fans have managed to plant an impressive 4010 trees. 

Prince Harry helped to plant a tree at the Chobe National Park, on day four of the royal tour of Africa, in Botswana September 26, 2019 (pictured)

The couple branded Sussex supporters who launched the initiative ‘amazing’ and said it was a ‘special surprise’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took to the Sussex Royal Instagram account and explained: ‘The aim of this project is to plant 10, 000 trees around the world by ‘donating globally and planting locally’ (pictured)

When first explaining the initiative, Twitter handle @SussexGtForest penned: ‘In celebration of World Children’s Day today, and ahead of U.K. National Tree Week, join online supporters of the Duchess Of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in the #SussexGreatForest campaign to plant 10,000 trees worldwide.’

And fans as far as Canada, Jamaica and South Africa have all got on board with the initiative. 

‘Happy to share my small contribution to this wonderful initiative. I get to help plant 12 trees for my country Philippines (4 trees for Harry, 4 trees for Meghan and 4 trees for Archie),’ wrote one, while a second added: 

‘My husband and I got engaged in Kenya, and planted a coconut tree in the grounds of our hotel in Malindi to commemorate. With that memory, and the wonderful initiative, this tree is planted with much love.’

Prince Harry was photographed with a child as he joined school children in a tree planting event in Chobe National Park in Botswana on 26 September 2019 (pictured)

The Sussex Great Forest Twitter account explained how the global campaign hopes to plant 10, 000 trees worldwide (pictured)

Sussex supporters came up with the idea following Prince Harry’s trip to Africa, where he put global conservation at the forefront of his visit, according to Harper’s Bazaar. 

During the trip, the royal was photographed speaking to a child as he joined school children in a tree planting event in Chobe National Park, Kasane in Botswana on 26 September 2019.  

Fans have since decided to honour their commitment to conservation and safeguarding the environment for the next generation. 

The project has also chosen four charities for members of the public to plant trees in the royals’ names – including UK-based Tree Sisters, which aims to make forest restoration as fundamental to people as consumption currently is, and One Tree Planted, which focuses on planting trees around the world. 

The Duke of Sussex helped to plant trees at the Chobe Tree Reserve in Botswana on day four of their tour of Africa on September 26 2019 (pictured)

The Twitter account told how the campaign is to honour the Sussexes commitments to conservation and safeguarding the environment for the next generation (pictured)

One Sussex supporter told how she planted a coconut in Kenya, while another planted a nordmann and an apple tree in France

Others include the International Tree Foundation, which works with communities in Africa and the UK to protect, regenerate and cultivate trees and forests, and The Green Belt Movement, which empowers communities, particularly women, to conserve the environment and improve livelihoods.

Alternatively, they suggest supporters can plant their own and advise if it’s too cold to plant in the ground, to do so in a pot and transfer before 6 May 2020 – which will mark Archie’s first birthday.

And many who have already got involved in the action were quick to contribute to the thread with their success stories via the hashtag SussexGreatForest. 

‘I planted my tree in my side garden at home in Yorkshire. It’s a pine tree, something associated with celebration i.e Christmas, so l thought it would be a good choice to celebrate Harry and Meghan. Get planting people – every tree helps!’ encouraged one, while a second wrote:

‘How exciting, will be planting 10 (or more) cashew nut trees in my hometown in Nigeria.’

A third added: ‘I planted a Nordmann tree and an apple tree last week in Alsace,’ wrote one. ‘These trees were planted in our neighbourhood,’ while a fourth penned: 

‘I have made my second donation as part of the #SussexGreatForest campaign. I may not be the wealthiest, but I will ALWAYS do my part in bettering this world. Please plant a tree, donate, or both!’      

Online supporters took to the Twitter thread to share the locations in which they’ve planted their trees (pictured)