Prince Harry and Meghan Marcela partnered with Global Citizen as campaign chairs for VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World, which airedMay 8. The concert, hosted by Selena Gomez, took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It included a host of other A-list celebrity appearances as well, including Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, and Chrissy Teigen.
As one of the campaign chairs, Prince Harry actually attended the event in-person, taking the time to remind everyone the universal toll of COVID-19. “[W]hen any suffer, we all suffer,” he said. Meghan, who is currently pregnant with the couple’s second child (and first daughter!), did not attend the live event. However, the Duchess of Sussex is expected to be featured in Saturday’s broadcast.
Harry’s speech definitely resonated with fans and audiences with his message of unity and community. “We’re also coming together because this pandemic cannot end unless we act collectively with an unprecedented commitment to our shared humanity. The vaccine must be distributed to everyone everywhere. We cannot rest or truly recover until there is fair distribution to every corner of the world. The mission in front of us is one we cannot afford to fail out and that’
s what tonight is about,” The Duke of Sussex said during the event, per People. He continued, “The virus does not respect borders, and access to the vaccine cannot be determined by geography. It must be accepted as a basic right for all, and that is our starting point.”
Harry called on those in attendance and those watching at home to act with “empathy” during this time. “None of us should be comfortable with thinking that we can be fine when so many others are suffering. In reality, and especially with this pandemic, when any suffer, we all suffer,” he said.
“We must look beyond ourselves with empathy and compassion for those we know, and those we don’t,” he explained. “We need to lift up all of humanity, and make sure no person or community is left behind.”
The Duke of Sussex also referenced the rising coronavirus case numbers in India. “What we do in this moment will stand in history and tonight, we stand in solidarity with the millions of families across India who are battling a devastating second wave,” he said.
These words definitely reflect the mission of the concert, which, according to its website, is to “celebrat[e] the hope that COVID-19 vaccines are offering families and communities around the world” and to call… on world leaders to step up to make sure vaccines are accessible for all so we can end the pandemic for everyone, everywhere.”
Although most thought Harry’s speech hit the mark, others criticized his call for unity considering his recent family drama. One wrote on Instagram, “Wait… they can’t even reunite their family.. how are they suppose to help ‘reunite the world’?”
Everyone may not be on board with Meghan and Harry’s latest move, but most are happy that the duo has decided to speak out and continue their public service.