Meghan and Harry issue 'urgent' Ukraine message as they win same civil rights award as Muhammad Ali

Meghan and Harry issue 'urgent' Ukraine message as they win same civil rights award as Muhammad Ali
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 28/02/2022

- 11:08

Updated: 28/02/2022

- 11:17

The couple followed in the footsteps of Muhammad Ali and Jesse Jackson by winning the award

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have pledged their support for Ukraine as the country continues to fight back against a Russian invasion.

Vladimir Putin's attack has now entered its fifth day, with air strikes raining down in several major cities across Ukraine on Sunday night.


Speaking after being awarded the NAACP President's Award in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service, Prince Harry, flanked by Meghan Markle, took a moment to recognise the situation in Ukraine.

He said: "Before I begin, we would like to acknowledge the people of Ukraine, who urgently need our continued support as a global community."

Harry added: “I also echo the immense gratitude for tonight, both for this award and this community for welcoming me so warmly.

“I think it's safe to say that I come from a very different background from my incredible wife, yet our lives were brought together for a reason.

“We share a commitment to a life of service, a responsibility to combat injustice and a belief that the most often overlooked are the most important to listen to."

Previous winners of the President’s award include Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson and Ella Fitzgerald.

This is the second time the Duke and Duchess have spoken out about the conflict in Ukraine, after releasing a statement on the couple's Archewell website on Thursday.

The Duke and Duchess also released a statement on Ukraine last Thursday
The Duke and Duchess also released a statement on Ukraine last Thursday
Archewell

The statement read: “Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same.”

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