'Gingers Unite': Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran team up for mental health

Two of the UK’s - nay, the world’s - most famous redheads, Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran, have joined forces for a campaign in honour of World Mental Health day.

The duo released a heartfelt yet hilarious video on Thursday urging viewers to look after themselves and “anybody who might be suffering in silence”.

The clip centres on a comic misunderstanding between the two, before going on to reveal the serious message behind the collaboration.

Gingers unite!

In the clip, shared to the @SussexRoyal Instagram account, the “Shape Of You” singer, 28, is greeted by his royal pal at the door an unspecified house which is suspected to be Princess Eugenie’s home, due to a photo of the royal on her wedding day being visible in the hallway.

Harry, dressed in a casual grey polo shirt, jokes with the pop star, saying, “It’s like looking in a mirror”.

The pair go on to discuss what the duke describes as a “subject that's just not talked about enough,” which Ed interprets as a reference to having red hair.

Ed reveals that he’s been trying to write a song about the subject, admitting that “people just don’t understand what it’s like for people like us”.

“With the jokes and the snide comments,” the singer explains. “I just think it’s time we stood up and said we’re not going to take this anymore - we’re ginger and we’re going to fight”.

At this point it becomes apparent they the two are talking about very different things.

Harry and Ed’s awkward moment

The duke shifts uncomfortably before telling the singer there has been some crossed wires.

“Umm OK. Slightly awkward. Maybe there’s been a slight miscommunication but this is actually about World Mental Health Day.”

“Oh yeah, of course. I definitely knew that,” Ed responds as the camera captures him deleting the song title “Gingers unite” on his laptop screen.

The pair then get serious, speaking directly to the camera to reveal the real reason for them coming together.

“Guys, this World Mental Health Day, reach out, make sure that your friends, strangers look out for anybody who might be suffering in silence,” Harry says.

“We're all in this together”.

The prince’s mental health advocacy

The caption for the video offers more details about Harry and Ed’s cause, which they teased with a sneak peek clip just hours earlier.

“It’s World Mental Health Day! Both Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran want to ensure that not just today but every day, you look after yourself, your friends and those around you,” it reads.

“There’s no need to suffer in silence - share how you’re feeling, ask how someone is doing and listen for the answer. Be willing to ask for help when you need it and know that we are all in this together”.

World Mental Health Day is held annually to raise awareness about mental illness and the stigmas surrounding it.

This year the main focus is suicide prevention, with the World Federation for Mental Health choosing a new theme each year.

This isn’t the first time Prince Harry has worked on a mental health campaign. He first discussed managing his mental health difficulties in a candid interview in 2017 with The Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon.

Earlier this week, he took part in a mental health film for the Every Mind Matters campaign, alongside wife Meghan Markle and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The two royal couples also spearhead the Heads Together mental health initiative.

Mental health support for yourself or a loved one can be found by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978, or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Online support is available via Beyond Blue.