During her second recent televised appearance, the Duchess of Sussex has appeared on America’s Got Talent to express her support for contestant Archie Williams.
On Wednesday 23 September, the season finale of America’s Got Talent aired on NBC.
One of the participants who had reached the final stage of the competition was Archie Williams, a 59-year-old singer from Louisiana.
Williams, who performed an emotional rendition of Elton John’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” for his first audition, was wrongfully convicted of rape when he was 22 years old, spending almost 37 years in prison.
In March 2019, following a 24-year campaign by the Innocence Project and a new analysis of fingerprints at the scene of the crime, Williams was proved innocent and released from jail.
During the show’s finale, host Terry Crews told Williams that he had a message from a “very special fan”, before introducing Meghan on the screen.
In a clip filmed from her home in Santa Barbara, California, the Duchess of Sussex told Williams that she has felt “moved” by his story, and had supported him every week throughout the competition.
“Hi Archie. I just wanted to let you know that we’ve been so moved by your story, and we have been cheering you on every week, and it’s not just because we’re partial to the name,” Meghan said, in reference to her and Prince Harry’s one-year-old son, who is also called Archie.
“So a very special message to you that I will probably be saying all of my life, but on this night it is specifically for you: Archie, we are proud of you, and we are rooting for you, and we can’t wait to see what you do. We’re in your corner.”
Poet Brandon Leake was eventually crowned the winner of America’s Got Talent, the first time a spoken word poet has entered and won the competition.
Meghan’s appearance on the show marked the second of two recent televised appearances she has made.
The first of the two took place earlier this week, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in a Time 100 broadcast special.
Speaking from their home in California, the couple urged Americans to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
“Every four years, we are told the same thing, that ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime’. But this one is. When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard,” Meghan said.
“Your voice is a reminder that you matter. Because you do. And you deserve to be heard.”
Prince Harry added: “When one person buys into negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially. It’s time to not only reflect, but act. As we approach this November, it’s vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity.”
The global automotive market will continue to grow strongly in 2024, despite the challenges posed by economic and environmental factors. One of the key indicators of this growth remains car sales. Today, we take a look at the world’s best-selling car models that topped the charts in the first half of the year.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y continues to conquer the market, especially in countries with a strong electric vehicle infrastructure. The Model Y has become one of the most popular cars in 2024 due to its autonomy, autopilot technology and growing interest in environmentally friendly vehicles. From January to June, US sales of the electric crossover totalled 581,480 units, up 1.9 per cent year-on-year.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has been one of the world’s best-selling cars for many years. It is renowned for its reliability, fuel efficiency and affordable price. The 2024 Corolla is available in several variants, including hybrid models, making it attractive to a wide range of buyers.
In particular, sales of this car increased by 5.7 percent to 544,372 units. Drivers around the world continue to trust Toyota and are happy to buy the Corolla.
Toyota RAV4
Another representative of the Japanese car industry, the Toyota RAV4, continues to strengthen its position in the crossover segment. The 2024 RAV4 stands out for its excellent combination of price, functionality and advanced technologies, including hybrid and all-electric versions. From January to July, global sales of this car increased by 23.2%, with 498,103 units sold.
Ford F-Series
In the United States and several other countries, the Ford F-Series remains the undisputed sales leader among pickup trucks. The F-Series is renowned for its power, durability and ability to cope with tough conditions, making it an ideal choice for work and leisure. In the first half of the year, sales fell by 8.1% to 411,071 units. However, this didn’t stop the Ford F-Series from being the fourth most popular car on the market.
Kia K5
The Kia K5 is a sleek and dynamic sedan with a modern design and high-tech features. It offers a spacious cabin with premium materials, advanced safety systems and a wide choice of powertrains, including turbocharged engines.
The 2024 Kia K5 continues to attract attention with its bold looks, comfortable ride and advanced features such as mobile device integration and driver assist. This saloon combines style, innovation and reliability, making it a popular choice among modern motorists. This puts it in fifth place with 373,613 units sold.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is another popular crossover that confidently holds a leading position in global sales. The CR-V attracts buyers with its spacious interior, reliability and high safety ratings. Not for nothing do sales of this model continue to grow. In the first six months of 2024, sales reached 362,393 units, 16.1 per cent more than in the first half of 2023.
