MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry were heckled as they arrived for Harry’s keynote speech in New York yesterday – moments before the duke waded into politics.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived hand in hand at the United Nations headquarters on Monday, where Harry spoke passionately about Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived at the UN headquarters in New York today
A woman held this placard outside the United Nations building on Monday
During his speech, which he gave to mark International Nelson Mandela Day, Harry warned of a “global assault on democracy and freedom”.
He also discussed his mother Diana, the Ukraine war and abortion laws in the US.
But some were unhappy with Harry and his wife’s involvement, with one protester waiting outside to heckle them as they arrived.
The woman held a placard, which read: “Mandela spent 27 years behind bars in SA.
“Markle spent 18 months in castles and complained on TV during a pandemic.
“Why are they here?”
Some politicians in the US also hit back, with Rep Lisa McClain saying: “Yet again, the Duke and Duchess are sticking their nose into American politics by attacking the US rule of law.
“I think it’s time we buy them a history book on the Revolutionary War to remind them that our government stopped caring about the ‘royals’ opinion back in 1776.”
During his speech, Harry spoke passionately about Mandela – a man, he said, “who had endured the very worst of humanity – vicious racism and state-sponsored brutality”.
He also spoke about his mother Diana, the Princess of Wales’ meeting with the former South African leader in March 1997, and how he “sought solace” in Africa following her death.
But last night, the duke was accused of only giving the talk “for Netflix” and “to get money”.
Royal biographer Tom Bower told Piers Morgan on TalkTV that Harry agreed to talk “because he needs a profile”.
The author also claimed everything he and Meghan do is “built around the future documentary series”.
Others, however, praised Harry for his words, with one person writing on Twitter: “The best speech by Prince Harry on Mandela Day, its captivating and motivating for Africans.”
Another wrote: “Duke of Sussex delivered a powerful and moving statement at UN in New York today.
“It showed that he is always in touch with people on the ground to understand their challenges especially in Africa, we salute Prince Harry and wish all leaders come to understand plight of Africa.”
It comes as rumours continue to swirl that Meghan has her sights set on becoming President one day as she repeatedly makes waves as a political activist.
She has joined forces with Gloria Steinem to get the Equal Rights Amendment ratified, and insisted she’s willing to march in Washington DC against the Roe v Wade abortion ruling.
And backing his wife’s interest in politics, Harry yesterday told of the dangers of climate change, the coronavirus pandemic, “weaponising lies and disinformation”, the war in Ukraine and abortion laws in the US.
He said: “We’re living through a pandemic that continues to ravage communities in every corner of the globe; climate change wreaking havoc on our planet, with the most vulnerable suffering most of all; the few, weaponising lies and disinformation at the expense of 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 cause of Mandela’s life.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived hand in hand on Monday
Harry discussed how we can learn from Mandela’s legacy in an impassioned speech
Diana with Nelson Mandela in May 1997
