Harry gives impassioned speech at Vax Live: 'This pandemic cannot end unless we act collectively'

• Prince Harry gave an impassioned speech at the SoFi stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday at the pre-taping of Global Citizen's Vax Live concert.
• The concert will broadcast on 8 May and see celebrity guests, world leaders and more come together to "inspire vaccine confidence worldwide and help get the Covid-19 vaccines to everyone, everywhere".
• Harry said, in his first appearance since returning from the UK: "This pandemic cannot end unless we act collectively with an unprecedented commitment to our shared humanity."

Prince Harry made his first appearance since Prince Philip's funeral when he spoke on stage at the pre-taping of Global Citizen's Vax Live concert.

Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World, will air on 8 May and see celebrity guests, world leaders and more come together to "inspire vaccine confidence worldwide and help get the Covid-19 vaccines to everyone, everywhere". The event will be hosted by Selena Gomez, with performances from Jennifer Lopez, H.E.R. and more, while US President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are all set to make appearances.

Harry, and Meghan, are campaign chairs of the event. Apart from delivering an important global message for vaccine equity, they'll be helping ensure equitable access to the vaccine during the event.

"Hi everybody. We are at a defining moment in the global fight against Covid-19. 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," Prince Harry said in his address, reports People. "You spent the last year battling courageously and selflessly to protect us all. You served and sacrificed, put yourselves in harm's way and with bravery knowing the costs. We owe you an incredible depth of gratitude, thank you."

He continued: "We're also coming together because this pandemic cannot end unless we act collectively with an unprecedented commitment to our shared humanity. The vaccine must be distributed to everyone everywhere. We cannot rest or truly recover until there is fair distribution to every corner of the world. The mission in front of us is one we cannot afford to fail out and that's what tonight is about. The virus does not respect borders and access to the vaccine cannot be determined by geography. It must be accepted as a basic right for all and that is our starting point."

Harry concluded: "None of us should be comfortable thinking that we could be fine when so many others are suffering. In reality, and especially with this pandemic, when any suffer, we all suffer. We must look beyond ourselves with empathy and compassion for those we know, and those we don't. We need to lift up all of humanity and make sure that no person or community is left behind. What we do in this moment will stand in history and tonight, we stand in solidarity with the millions of families across India who are battling a devastating second wave."   

The Duke of Sussex wrapped up, fisting-bumping Nomzamo Mbatha, who took the stage next.

SEE THAT MOMENT HERE: