Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has made a new statement on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent trip to Jordan, just days after their visit was savaged by critics. The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) took to his official X account to publish an overview of the couple’s visit and thank them for their efforts.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent two days in the Middle Eastern country, carrying out engagements to highlight the humanitarian efforts of the Jordanian authorities and a range of agencies supporting the health and wellbeing of Syrians and Palestinians who have sought sanctuary in Jordan over the decades. However, some royal watchers were not impressed with the couple’s latest pseudo-royal tour, with one person calling it a “useless exercise”.

Others defended the couple and praised them for their efforts.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Jordan for two days (Image: PA)

Now, Dr Tedros has given his own verdict on the Sussex visit, dubbed by many a “pseudo-royal tour”.

In a post on X featuring pictures of the Sussex couple from the visit, the WHO chief said he is “grateful” for their “generosity and compassion” and thanked them for bringing “attention to the need for sustained action”.

In his post, he wrote: “I am grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, for their generosity and compassion shown this week in Jordan to recognise the efforts of the Kingdom, and many partners, to advance universal health coverage.

“Importantly, they brought attention to the need for sustained action to promote and protect the health of all people, from injured and ill children from Gaza receiving lifesaving care in Jordan, to delivering dignified mental health services to those in need, and providing health care services to Syrian refugees.

“At a time of division and turbulence, I appreciate Prince Harry and Meghan’s support to the World Health Organisation and others, as humanitarians and philanthropists committed to improving global health and wellbeing.”

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Meghan Markle with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Image: PA)

During their two-day visit, the Sussexes met Jordanian leaders and senior health officials, engaged with WHO teams, visited frontline health and mental health programmes and met World Central Kitchen staff co-ordinating food relief for Gaza from Amman.

Jordan has received wave after wave of refugees, beginning with Palestinians more than 80 years ago, who now number around 2.5 million, and Syrians who fled conflict in their country, which was recently ruled by President Bashar al-Assad.

The latest wave of displaced people flowed into the country following the Israeli government’s Gaza war against Hamas, which followed Hamas atrocities against Israeli civilians during the October 7 attacks.