Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, gave a 15-minute speech at an extraordinary United Nations assembly in New York. The Duke of Sussex was accompanied by his wife. In his speech, the second son of Prince Charles spoke about climate change, American politics and poverty.
Prince Harry’s speech for Nelson Mandela International Day
Prince Harry was invited to make a presentation at the extraordinary assembly of the United Nations, gathered on the occasion of Nelson Mandela International Day. In 1955, at the first United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, the assembly agreed to establish universally recognized minimum standards for the management of penal institutions and the treatment of prisoners. Over the years, these rules have evolved and in 2015, the United Nations revised them one last time and called them the “Nelson Mandela Rules”. To give visibility to these rules and the values defended, July 18 has been decreed as Nelson Mandela International Day. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918.
The appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in New York was expected as the couple had not been seen since their brief appearance at St. Paul’s Cathedral during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee festivities in London. Prince Harry was accompanied by Meghan during his speech on July 18, after the speech by Eric Adams, Mayor of New York.
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Poverty, Africa and climate change at heart of Duke of Sussex debate
Prince Harry devoted part of his speech to paying tribute to Nelson Mandela, whom he admires in particular for his smile. “In the face of unimaginable cruelty and injustice, he almost always had a smile on his face”, said the Duke of Sussex. He also unveiled a more personal element. “On my wall, and in my heart, every day, is an image of my mother and Mandela meeting in Cape Town in 1997.”
“A man who endured the worst of humanity, villainous racism and state-sponsored brutality. A man who had lost 27 years with his children and his family that he would never find. 27 years. However, in this photo and so many others, he still shines. Still able to see the goodness in humanity. Always dynamic with a beautiful spirit that lifted everyone around him. »
Prince Harry’s speech was also tinged with American politics, referring to the much-discussed recent federal abortion rights amendment. He then addressed the problem of poverty, while “multiple converging crises have given way to an endless series of injustices”. According to Prince Harry, the consequences are felt “deeper across the African continent”where he remarked that the pandemic, inflation and war led to a “energy and food crisis”.
Harry referenced his own experience with Africa, a continent his mother had a special connection to. ” It was where I felt closest to my mother and where I sought comfort after her death, and where I knew I had found a kindred spirit in my wife. “. One of their first date was in Botswana. Harry also opened up about how important Nelson Mandela was in raising his children, Archie and Lilibet.
