Prince Harry & Meghan Markle were all business at the UN on Nelson Mandela International Day 2022

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were at the United Nations in New York City today where Prince Harry gave a key note speech to honour the memory of Nelson Mandela on what is Nelson Mandela International Day 2022. Harry and Meghan were all business both in their attire and in demeanor, although we did catch one or two smiles and laughter as the couple interacted with other dignitaries and guests.

Prince Harry's speech touched on many of the World's pressing issues: global warming; conservation and human rights; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world; inflation; war; and what Prince Harry called "global uncertainty and division." 

Kind thoughts for Meghan Markle

Harry called out in particular the war in Ukraine and the rolling back of constitutional rights in America, saying that he felt that "we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom - the cause of Mandela's life." Harry spoke of the effects of global issues on nations around the World and particularly in Africa, a place he has often called his second home.

With Meghan watching on in support of her husband, Harry called on World leaders to make the decisions needed to correct things at this pivotal moment in history - even if these decisions are not politically expedient - and calling on us all to do as Nelson Mandela did to "never give up the battle even in the darkest hour, to find hope where we have the courage to seek it."

In 2019 when Meghan and Harry were on a Royal Tour of Africa, Harry was gifted by the late Rev. Desmond Tutu a photo of his mother Princess Diana taken on the day that she met Nelson Mandela in Cape Town, South Africa in 1997. Harry spoke of finding inspiration for his own work from this photograph. 

Harry mentioned specific projects and charities that he and Meghan are involved with, ones he felt are doing good work in their communities: the people advocating in Africa's Okavango Delta, defying the odds to protect their home and its biodiversity from big oil companies; young girls who were forced out of school and into marriage in Northern Nigeria, speaking out today so others may get a better chance tomorrow; the work of World Central Kitchen, a partner of the Archewell Foundation, and their volunteers in Ukraine and around the world, fighting food insecurity one meal at a time and the children of Lesotho and Botswana orphaned by HIV, striving for a brighter future, supported by Prince Harry's charity Sentebale.

Harry ended his speech saying that it is important now more than ever for us to look beyond our own needs and get to work, reminding us that Nelson Mandela was a man of words but also a man of action, striving to build a better life for all.  

Click here to link to an article with the text of the entire speech

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