Prince Harry and Meghan Markle [1] are returning to New York City on July 18 to celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, People reported [2] on July 13. According to the publication, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex [3] will be in the Big Apple for the UN General Assembly, where Harry is expected to deliver a speech. No other details had been revealed at the time of publication.
The Montecito, CA, residents [4] last visited New York in September 2021 for Global Citizen Live. During the event, the couple gave a speech [5] calling for COVID-19 vaccine equity. "We know that it feels like this pandemic has been going on forever — we get it, it is a lot — and some people are just over it," Markle said. "But if everyone's over it, it's never going to be over. 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."
Harry added: "We're battling more than the pandemic alone. This is a battle of misinformation, bureaucracy, lack of transparency, and lack of access. And above all, this is a human rights crisis . . . My wife and I believe that where you're born should not dictate your ability to survive." The appearance marked their first joint outing since the birth of their daughter [6], Lilibet, whom they welcomed on June 4, 2021.
During that trip, the pair also paid a special visit to students in Harlem, where Markle read her children's book "The Bench [8]." "I wrote this when we just had our little boy, and I haven't read it to any other kids but you!" she told the kids, referencing her 3-year-old son, Archie [9]. "The idea of representation — 'That looks like me!' — I wanted everyone to be included in this book."