Harry, Meghan among stars to lend voices to world music concert
NEW YORK: Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, advocated for Covid-19 vaccine access to be treated “as a basic human right,” as a “once-in-a-generation” music event circled the world was broadcast live from New York’s Central Park.
“The way you’re born should not dictate your ability to survive,” the Duke of Sussex said to cheers from the thousandsstrong crowd.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex followed performances by singer Alessia Cara and pop veteran Cyndi Lauper with a rendition of her “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” dedicated to Afghan women.
Funding announcements poured in between the sets.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced in a recorded message the United States would “contribute more than US$295 million to countries around the world to stave off famine and extreme hunger, confront gender-based violence and address the urgent humanitarian needs the Covid19 pandemic is leaving in its wake.”
The Global Solidarity Fund announced US$28 million for food, vaccines and job training throughout 2022 before Cuban American singer Camila Cabello took the stage joined by Shawn Mendes, later followed by Burna Boy.
Also billed to perform in Central Park were Billie Eilish and Jennifer Lopez, among others.
The broadcast on social media opened with a pre-recorded performance by pop superstars BTS in Seoul before the show kicked off in Paris with Elton John.