Vax Live: Prince Harry makes vaccine plea at concert in LA
The Duke of Sussex has called for vaccines to be “distributed to everyone everywhere” at a star-studded charity concert in Los Angeles.
Prince Harry appeared alongside dozens of celebrities at the Vax Live event, a charity performance in aid of the international Covid vaccination effort.
Hosted by the singer Selena Gomez, the concert – to be aired on Saturday – featured performances from artists Jennifer Lopez and Foo Fighters.
US President Joe Biden also spoke.
Addressing thousands of fully vaccinated guests at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Prince Harry praised the efforts of front line workers during the pandemic.
“Tonight is a celebration of each of you here, the vaccinated frontline workers in the audience and the millions of frontline heroes around the world,” he said.
“You spent the last year battling courageously and selflessly to protect us all. You served and sacrificed, put yourselves in harm’s way, and acted with bravery, knowing the costs. We owe you an incredible debt of gratitude. Thank you.”
It was the duke’s first public appearance since the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Phillip on 17 April. His wife the Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant, stayed at home.
The couple are campaign chairs of Vax Live, organised by anti-poverty group Global Citizen.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also appeared at the concert in a pre-recorded video.
President Biden said he was “working with leaders around the world to share more vaccines and boost production”.
The singer Selena Gomez hosted the event, calling for “doses and dollars” to go to the world’s poorest countries.
Rock band Foo Fighters were joined by surprise guest Brian Johnson of AC/DC for a rendition of the Australian band’s hit Back in Black.
And actress and singer Jennifer Lopez was joined on stage by her mother to sing Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.
Agencies