Prince Harry says Covid and climate change have left him feeling 'battered and helpless'
Prince Harry today described how Covid and had left him feeling 'battered and helpless' after a 'painful year in a painful decade' - as he revealed how fatherhood had made campaigning more important to him. During a sombre speech to the General Assembly on Nelson Mandela Day, the said Covid is 'continuing to ravage communities in every corner of the globe' and the world is facing 'an endless stream of disasters and devastation'. Invoking Mandela's description of hope as 'like a lifebelt is to a swimmer', Harry said: 'Let's be honest, how many of us are in danger of losing those lifebelts right now? 'How many of us feel battered, helpless, in the face of a seemingly endless stream of disasters and devastation. I understand, this has been a painful year in a painful decade.' The prince then referred to the Covid pandemic, and the war in Ukraine - the latter of which he controversially mentioned in the same breath as the overturning of Roe v Wade in the USA. He continued: 'We're living through a pandemic that continues to ravage communities in every corner on the globe; climate change wreaking havoc on our planet, with the most vulnerable suffering most of all; the few weaponising lies and disinformation against the many; and from the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional rights here in the United States, we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom, the calls of Mandela's life. Harry quoted a report from US think-tank Freedom House which found the world had grown comparatively less free over the last decade, he suggested the action of western governments was partly to blame, As so often in history, the consequences of decisions made by some of the most powerful people in some of the world's most powerful countries is being felt most deeply in countries in Africa,' he said. 'The pandemic, and the war, and inflation have left Africa mired in a fuel and food crisis the likes of which we have not seen in decade. Worst still, this comes at a time when the Horn of Africa is witnessing the worst drought it has seen in half a century. 'And what is happening in Africa is not an isolated event. The drought there is a reflection of extreme weather we are seeing across the globe.' The prince described the world as being 'on fire' due to climate change, with previously rare weather events becoming 'part of our daily lives'. 'And this crisis will only grow worse unless our leaders lead. The right thing to do is not up for debate, and neither is the science. 'A moment when multiple converging crises have given way to an endless string of injustices... a moment when people around the world are experiencing extraordinary pain...' Towards the end of his speech, he made a reference to how fatherhood had changed him. He said: 'It has been more than a decade since Mandela's walk finally reached its end. But what he taught us again and again was that it was never his walk alone - it was all of ours. And what a beautiful gift, especially as a dad of two young children myself. 'That this world is meant to be shared, That the work of each generation is tied to who came before and who came after us. That we have an obligation to give as much, if not more, than we take.' Prince Harry has again waded into US politics as he blasted the 'rolling back of constitutional rights' during his keynote speech at the UN General Assembly in New York City. The and his wife Meghan Markle arrived hand in hand ahead of his speech to delegates on and poverty during the two hour meeting. The 37-year-old attacked American politics during his keynote speech at the event in today. During his speech he said: 'The few weaponizing lies and disinformation at the expense of the many. 'And from the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional right in the US we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom the cause of Mandela's life.' His wife Meghan told Vogue that her 'feminist' husband had a 'guttural' reaction to the overturning of abortion laws last month. It is the first time that the couple have been seen in public since jetting to the UK to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last month, where they kept a low profile. Prince Harry went on to say a photograph of his mother Princess Diana meeting Nelson Mandela remains 'on his wall and his heart'. He said that his mothers 'joy and playfulness' can be seen in the photograph, taken in Cape Town in March 1997, just five months before her tragic death. Addressing the UN, Harry said: For me there is one photo in particular that stands out. On my wall and in my heart everyday is an image of my mother and Mandela meeting in Cape Town in 1987. It was presented to me by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose friendship and inspiration were their own treasured gift. My wife and I had the honor of introducing our four-month-old son to him in 2019. But when I first looked at the photo straight away what jumped out was the joy on my mothers face. The playfulness, cheekiness even, the pure delight to be in communion with another soul so committed to serving humanity. South Africa s UN Mission said Friday his remarks 'will be around the memories and legacy of Mandela and what has been learned from his struggle and his life that can help up face the new challenges in the world today.' The world still faces challenges that were there during Mandela s life including racial intolerance, the divide between rich and poor, hunger and food insecurity, a mission diplomat said. During his thinly-veiled stab at SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Prince Harry said there was a 'global assault on democracy'. It is not the first time that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have waded into American politics, finding themselves in hot water after commenting on the US election. During a Time 100 video in September 2020 they called on American voters to 'reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity' in 'the most important election of our life.' Members of the royal family are supposed to be politically neutral, when they stepped back from their roles the Sussex's vowed that 'everything they do will uphold the values of Her Majesty'.