The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also met City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his family at the 386-meter observatory in the tower, alongside newly-appointed New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Meghan told reporters that “it’s wonderful to be back” in the city and Harry said the trip had been “wonderful” so far - but the couple did not make any further remarks.
The couple are in New York for the Global Citizen Live event on Saturday, where the duke and duchess are expected to call for greater vaccine equity following criticism by the World Health Organization and the United Nations that wealthy nations are failing to provide enough COVID vaccines to poorer countries.
The live updates for this blog have ended.
According to Business Insider, the Upper East Side hotel is nicknamed the “Palace of Secrets” for its high level of privacy and is a common spot for royals, politicians and celebrities to stay.
Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, stayed at the Carlyle when she first visited New York City on a three-day solo trip in 1989. Prince William and Kate Middleton, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, also stayed there during a trip in 2014.
“Today’s meeting was a much-appreciated opportunity to learn from some of the most-respected experts who are working tirelessly to end this pandemic,” they said in a statement. “Building on ongoing conversations we’ve had with global leaders over the past 18 hours, today further reinforced our commitment to vaccine equity. We’re so encouraged by the spirit of collaboration we heard throughout our conversation and are eager to do our part.”
Harry and Meghan joined world health and political leaders to discuss ways to achieve COVID-19 vaccine equity and to address the root causes of other global health inequities.
The Mail questioned the appropriateness of Markle’s outfit for her visit to the One World Trade Center and criticized how much jewelry she was wearing - but the same paper hailed Kate as “fighting off the gloomy weather” when she wore a pink coat to the 9/11 memorial.
Papers also took aim at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex over their decision not to bring Archie with them, but neither did the Cambridge’s during their visit in 2014. The couple’s Carlyle Hotel was also a target, with papers praising the Cambridges’ choice of accommodation as “a favorite of Princess Diana’s” but appearing to criticize Harry and Meghan for choosing a $1,300-per-night room.
Those joining Harry and Meghan include singers Adam Lambert, Billie Eilish, Demi Lovato, plus bands Coldplay, the Black Eyed Peas, and BTS. Many more artists will join in the concert, with live performances from Lagos, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, and Sydney.
The duke and duchess will make a speech tomorrow from New York encouraging richer nations to donate more COVID shots to poorer regions. The event kicks off at 1pm ET tomorrow.
The bodyguard was spotted outside the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan but didn’t specify which agency inside the department he was employed by, leaving possible federal involvement in the couple’s visit to New York City a mystery.
The mayor used a picture he took with the couple to encourage New Yorkers to get vaccinated, taking a jab at Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, who confirmed earlier this week he is yet to get his first shot.
It is not known what the couple’s plans are for today.
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