Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have urged supporters to make a donation to a vaccine equity campaign to mark their son Archie’s second birthday.
The Duke, 36, and Duchess of Sussex, 39, who are currently living in their $14 million house in California, shared a lengthy post on their Archewell Foundation site calling for royal fans to support the drive.
They wrote: ‘We cannot think of a more resonant way to honor our son’s birthday. If we all show up, with compassion for those we both know and don’t know, we can have a profound impact. Even a small contribution can have a ripple effect.’
The couple did not share an up to date photograph of their son for the big day, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge do each year with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The appeal comes days after Prince Harry joined A-list Hollywood celebrities at Vax Live – an initiative to encourage rich countries to share vaccines.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have urged supporters to make a donation to a vaccine equity campaign to mark their son Archie’s second birthday
In a post shared on their Archewell site, and signed ‘Harry and Meghan’, the couple wrote: ‘We have been deeply touched over the past two years to feel the warmth and support for our family in honor of Archie’s birthday.
‘Many of you donate to charities on his behalf, and mark the occasion by giving back or doing an act of service—all through the goodness of your hearts. You raise funds for those who need it most, and continue to do so organically and selflessly. We remain incredibly grateful.’
They continued: ‘This year, our world continues to be on the path to recovery from COVID-19. Yet too many families are still struggling with the impact of this pandemic. While some places are on the verge of healing, in so many parts of the world, communities continue to suffer.
‘As of today, around 80 percent of the nearly one billion COVID-19 vaccine shots that have been given were administered in wealthier countries.
Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan Markle’s, 39, son Archie will ‘have a video call date with the Queen and his cousins’ today for his birthday, a royal expert has revealed
‘While we may feel that normalcy is around the corner, we remind ourselves that in much of the world, and especially in developing countries, vaccine distribution has effectively yet to start.’
‘We will not be able to truly recover until everyone, everywhere, has equal access to the vaccine.
‘And with that intention, we are inviting you to contribute whatever you can—if you have the means to do so—to bring vaccines to families in the world’s most vulnerable places.
‘For a donation of just $5, you can cover the cost of a dose for someone in need. And because we were able to secure matching support from a number of organizations, that $5 you give will automatically turn into $20—covering the cost of four doses.
Katie Nicholl said Prince Harry and Prince William, 38, would put their differences to one side and come together for a call with Kate Middleton, 39, and Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three, for the occasion
‘Every single dollar counts—not only will it help save lives but it will help save families and communities.’
They finished the post: ‘Together, we can uplift, protect, and care for one another.’
Earlier this month, Prince Harry had his name in lights as he was greeted with wild cheers and a standing ovation by a rapturous crowd during a speech at a star-studded concert in Los Angeles, while his heavily pregnant wife Meghan Markle stayed at home.
Harry told the audience of vaccinated frontline workers ‘every single one of you are awesome’ before urging them to ‘look beyond ourselves’ at the star studded event.
After an announcer read out an introduction, ‘Please welcome Vax Live campaign chair Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex’, the royal walked onto the stage to a rock star-style reception, with his name beamed in giant letters on a flashing screen behind him.
Meanwhile Katie also revealed Prince Harry, Meghan and Archie would also likely join the Queen for a video call
Harry, who appeared in public for the first time since the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip, delivered a five-minute address calling for vaccines to be shared with poorer countries, which was regularly punctuated by more rapturous cheers.
Speaking in a markedly different accent than his previous Queen’s English, Harry said: ‘We must look beyond ourselves with empathy and compassion for those we know, and those we don’t. We need to lift up all of humanity and make sure that no person or community is left behind.’
The event – which was being recorded for broadcast on TV on May 8 – was the first speech Harry had given since he and Meghan made a series of damning claims about their family during an appearance on Oprah. The Duchess of Sussex is expected to be recording a message to appear in the final broadcast.
The royal was among many high profile stars – including Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Gayle King and Ben Affleck – to take the stage at Vax Live, which was hosted by campaign organisation Global Citizen at the So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood.
The announcement today after a royal expert said birthday boy Archie will ‘have a video date with the Queen and his cousins’ to celebrate his big day.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl said Prince Harry and Prince William, 38, would put their differences to one side and come together for a Zoom call with Kate Middleton, 39, and Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three, for the occasion.
Speaking to Okay! magazine, she said Harry, Meghan and Archie would also likely join the Queen for a call, adding: ‘Lockdown is lifting and the sun in California is shining – I’m sure they’ll have a lovely celebration at home…Harry will make a really big fuss of Archie.’
Katie said Prince Harry faces a difficult challenge in trying to help his children bond with their cousins.
She revealed: ‘He always wanted his children to grow up close to William and Kate’s…Sadly it’s looking increasingly unlikely for Archie.’
Meanwhile despite difficulties in their relationship over the last 18 months, she said it was ‘hard to imagine’ the Cambridge’s wouldn’t be in touch with the Sussexes on Archie’s birthday.
Earlier today the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William and Kate Middleton all publicly sent well-wishes to Archie on his second birthday.
Katie’s comments come after a royal expert said Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will likely develop a close bond with their cousin Archie later on in their lives
Despite their differences, a spokesperson for the Sussex couple confirmed they privately wished Kate and William a happy 10th wedding anniversary last week
The official Royal Family Instagram account led the birthday greetings this morning with a photo of Harry and Meghan introducing their son to the world at Windsor Castle in May 2019.
Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge followed suit with photographs taken at Archie’s Christening in July 2019.
The day will be a particularly poignant as the Royal Family have not seen Archie in 18 months.
The toddler, who is seventh-in-line to the throne, was last in the UK in the autumn of 2019, before the Sussexes left to spend Christmas in Canada.
On Archie’s first birthday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a video of him reading a book with his mother in support of Save The Children but it remains to be seen if fans will be given a fresh glimpse of the toddler today.