Meghan and Harry condemn wealthy countries' Covid response in open letter

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have condemned rich countries for their response to the Covid-19 crisis, warning that the pandemic is 'not over' and urging world leaders to commit to achieving vaccine equity. 

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have condemned rich countries' response to the Covid-19 pandemic, signing an open letter slamming wealthy governments for failing to ensure lower-income nations have access to vaccines. 
• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been vocal about the need for vaccine equity, especially in the global south, for over a year now. 
• In other royal news, Princess Anne pays tribute to the Queen with childhood passion.
  

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are using their platform for good yet again to highlight a lifesaving cause—vaccine equity. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have added their names to an open letter, published on Friday, warning world leaders against becoming 'complacent' in the Covid-19 pandemic. The couple's regal signatories appeared amongst a long list of other influential people, including US actor and philanthropist, Charlize Theron, and former British prime minister, Gordon Brown. 

Coordinated by the People’s Vaccine Alliance, the strongly-worded message condemns wealthy countries for allowing 'self-defeating nationalism, pharmaceutical monopolies and inequality' to prevent investment in 'safe and effective vaccines' and 'other life-saving Covid-19 technologies.' 

It also emphasizes that the 'pandemic is not over' and urges rich nations to ensure that 'publicly funded vaccine technology and know-how is available to the global south.' 

"The current approach is immoral, entirely self-defeating, and also an ethical, economic and epidemiological failure," the letter adds, slamming the EU, the UK, and Switzerland for hindering the redistribution of Covid-19 vaccines and treatment resources to the global south. 

Harry and Meghan's involvement in the appeal is just one of many endeavors the couple has taken to support vulnerable people in the pandemic. 

The royal couple called for global vaccine distribution during a speech at Global Citizen Live in October last year, with the Duchess equating the disposal of doses in wealthy nations to 'throwing away life vests when those around you are drowning.' 

For their son, Archie's 2nd birthday in May, Prince Harry and Meghan asked fans for donations of $5 for the international Covid vaccine fund. The former actress has also used her A-list status to help people in the US during the pandemic, launching 40x40—an initiative that encourages women to mentor other women - in celebration of her 40th birthday back in August.