Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear at Global Citizen Live concert in New York

Laura Sharman @LauraSharman_26 September 2021

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appeared on stage at the Global Citizen Live concert in New York on Saturday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a special appearance at the annual music festival in Central Park which aims to push for greater action to combat climate change.

They are once again teaming up with Global Citizen to encourage vaccine distribution to the countries most in need.

The aim is to urge rich countries to share one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines with the nations that are struggling most with the pandemic.

Meghan and Harry took to the stage hand in hand and called for Covid vaccine equality in a joint public appearance after the birth of their daughter Lilibet.

Prince Harry welcomed the crowd with the question "are we prepared to do what is necessary to end this pandemic?"

Meghan added: "There is so much that we can do today, now that can get us closer to ending this pandemic and that's why we're all here.”

The couple said they have sat with independent global health leaders this week to further understand how to achieve vaccine equality.

Global Citizen Live, New York
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak onstage during Global Citizen Live, New York
Getty Images for Global Citizen

“We're battling more than the virus alone. This is a battle of misinformation, bureaucracy, lack of transparency,” Harry added.

Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Lopez, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes are among headliners to perform at The Great Lawn.

Doors opened for the festival at 2pm with the concert kicking off at 4pm until 10pm.

It is one of seven coordinated concerts across the world in London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Sydney and Lagos as part of a 24-hour broadcast event.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

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Revellers must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus and show proof of vaccine to enter the outdoor event.

Prior to the concert, Meghan and Harry visited the United Nations to meet with its Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed during its annual gathering of leaders.

“It was a lovely meeting,” Ms Markle said as they left the UN headquarters.

Global Citizen Live, New York
Meghan and Harry entered the stage hand in hand
Getty Images for Global Citizen

Ms Mohammed welcomed the commitment and work of the Duke and Duchess on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations said.

The goals were created by the UN in 2015 and tackle issues such as ending hunger and poverty, achieving gender equality and combating climate change.

“The Deputy Secretary-General affirmed support for shared priorities around climate action, women’s economic empowerment, youth engagement and mental wellbeing,” the UN said in a statement.

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