PRINCE Harry took the mic at the woke Covid concert in New York and gushed: “My wife and I believe that where you’re born should not dictate your ability to survive.”
The dark-suited royal had walked out on stage in the Big Apple’s Central Park to a huge cheer while holding hands with Meghan, who was wearing a white dress.
In between their lovey-dovey display, the couple preached to millions watching the event across the world about vaccine equity.
Harry said: “Look at all of us here 60,000 strong together in New York City! Are we prepared to do what’s necessary to end this pandemic?”
His wife Meg added: “It is so good to be back here with all of you.
“Look, we know it feels like this pandemic has been going on forever, we get it, it’s a lot, and some people are just over it but if everyone’s over it, it will never be over.
“There is so much we can do today that can get us closer to ending this pandemic and that’s why we’re all here.
“We’re able to be here tonight because the most brilliant scientists, researchers, front line workers have risked their lives to protect our global community.
“They are our humanitarian heroes.”
Harry mentioned the experts that he and the duchess have been talking to during their New York trip.
He said: “This week we sat with independent global health leaders to further understand how we get closer to vaccine equity and ending this crisis.
“This is a battle of misinformation, bureaucracy, lack of transparency and lack of access and above all this is a human rights crisis.”
Meghan added: “Every single person on this planet has a fundamental right to get this vaccine but that’s not happening.
“It is wrong that so much of the vaccine supply has only gone to just ten wealthy nations and not everyone else, it’s just not OK.”
Harry then said: “Guys, we have what we need to vaccinate the world.”
To boos, he added: “Here’s what’s getting in the way…many countries are ready to produce vaccines but ultra-wealthy pharmaceutical companies are not sharing the recipes to make them.
“These countries have the means, the ability and the workers to start manufacturing, all they are waiting for is for the vaccine intellectual property to be waived and by the way, many of these vaccines were publicly funded, they’re your vaccines, you paid for them.”
“The experts told us that doses are being bought up and stockpiled by wealthy nations and later sent to developing countries, often when they are close to expiration and when it’s already too late.
“Dose sharing commitments are so important and appreciated, but this cannot just be a charity operation, it’s a fundamental human rights issue.”
Meghan called the pandemic a “humanitarian crisis” and said the control of a vaccines should not be in the control of the “fortunate few”.
She added: “These experts shared how the vaccine is distributed should be left to independent organizations who know exactly where the doses are most needed.
“Just think about the millions of vaccine doses that have been discarded this year. That’s like throwing away life vests when those around you are drowning.”
Putting his hand on Meg’s shoulder, Harry said: “My wife and I believe that where you’re born should not dictate your ability to survive.”
Meghan added: “Especially when the treatments exist to keep you safe.”
Harry continued: “So Global Citizens, we ask you, do you think we should start treating access to the vaccine as a basic human right?
“When we start making decisions through that lens, where every single person deserves equal access to the vaccine, then we can achieve what is needed.”
This morning the royal couple left the Carlyle Hotel shortly before 11am on Saturday morning where they headed to the UN building in Manhattan.
The Duchess wore a beige head-to-toe pants suit with a long brown coat and matching heels while Harry opted for a smart navy suit.
The Sussexes left the meeting after 90 minutes clutching onto documents and folders – one featuring the Archewell branding.
According to the Deputy Secretary-General, the trio discussed issues they care about “deeply” such as “climate action, women’s economic empowerment, mental well-being, youth engagement and vaccine equity.”
Asked by reporters what was the agenda of their conversation, Ms Mohammed said: “Sharing how to engage on issues we care about deeply”.
Meghan told reporters: “it was a lovely meeting” as she left the UN headquarters.
Following the engagement, Meghan and Harry will attend the star-studded Covid concert in Central Park.
Standard admission for the Global Citizen event went for between £175 and £195 while VIP tickets started at £434.
Celebrities and performers such as Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Lizza and Coldplay are set to take the stage later on today.
The royal couple’s pal Omid Scobie called today the “climax” of their trip to NYC which has seen them visit a school in Harlem and visit One World NYC Observatory.
Yesterday Prince Harry sat in the front row among schoolchildren as Meghan read to them from her book The Bench.
Dressed down in an all-red outfit, the Duchess sat in the playground of the school in Harlem and read to the group of seven-year-olds.
The mum-of-two told the crowd that it had been the first time she has read the book to a group of kids other than her own.
Meghan, 39, claims it was inspired by a poem she wrote for Harry on his first Father’s Day and a “love story” of him and Archie.
Earlier Meghan was spotted embracing some of the pupils as they showed the royal couple a brightly coloured mural they had created.
Prince Harry joined the Duchess at P.S. 123 Mahalia Jackson school on day two of their three-day tour of New York City.
The couple had gone casual for the event with the Duchess wearing a loose-fitting red trouser suit while the Duke wore a shirt and chinos.
The New York tour is the first time Meghan has appeared at a public event since giving birth to Lilibet in June.
