The Duke of Sussex used a United Nations speech to condemn what he called a “global assault on democracy and freedom.”
During a keynote speech to commemorate Nelson Mandela International Day, Prince Harry alluded to the dangers of climate change, the coronavirus pandemic, “weaponising lies and disinformation,” the war in Ukraine, and even abortion laws in the United States, a topic that would have been off-limits if he was still a working member of the Royal Family.
He also weighed in on American politics, slamming the ‘rolling back of constitutional rights.’
The Nelson Mandela Foundation asked Harry, who has longstanding personal connections with the Mandela family, both personally and through his own family, to speak at the event at the United Nations General Assembly.
Watched by his wife Meghan he said: “This has been a painful year, in a painful decade.
“We’re living through a pandemic that continues to ravage communities in every corner of the globe; climate change wreaking havoc on our planet, with the most vulnerable suffering most of all; the few, weaponising lies and disinformation at the expense of the many; and from the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional rights here in the United States.
“We are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom – the cause of Mandela’s life.”
The duke went further in his passionate speech than he would have on previous occasions when representing the Queen and the Royal Family.
Speaking about the climate crisis and its impact on Africa in particular, he urged world leaders to act with greater conviction, saying, “As I speak, our world is on fire, again.”
“These historic weather events are no longer historic. More and more, they are a part of our daily lives, and this crisis will only grow worse… unless our leaders lead.”
Harry also emphasised how important Africa has been to him throughout his life, and how he “sought solace” there following the death of his mother.
“It’s where I felt closest to my mother and sought solace after she died, and where I knew I’d found a soulmate in my wife,” he explained.
The couple arrived at the UN event smiling and holding hands, and they ignored a question from a US reporter about biographer Tom Bower’s new book Revenge: Meghan, Harry, And The War Among The Windsors.
Some of the Sussexes’ detractors were surprised when Harry was asked to address the United Nations General Assembly following the controversy surrounding his decision to leave royal life.