Harry and Meghan 'proud' after $3m raised for coronavirus vaccines in Archie's name

Watch: Duke and Duchess of Sussex pay for 200 hats on Archie's birthday

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shared their pride in the Archewell community after $3m was raised in honour of their son Archie's second birthday.

The day before they marked their third wedding anniversary, Harry and Meghan shared a thank you message to followers, confirming that once matched donations were made, the total raised for coronavirus vaccines was more than $3m (£2.1m).

To mark Archie's birthday on 6 May, they had asked that followers donate to Gavi, the vaccine alliance.

The organisation is working to get coronavirus vaccines distributed among low-income countries.

A statement posted on their Archewell website read: "Congratulations and thank you for helping to make the world a more compassionate and equitable place.

"We are proud to have you as part of the Archewell community. As evidenced through this activation, our shared purpose can yield extraordinary results.

"Look at what happens when we come together for the greater good!"

The couple later added this picture of their son to the post. (Archewell)
The couple shared a new picture of their son for his birthday. (Archewell) (Archewell)

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An earlier update from Global Citizen, with which Harry and Meghan are working to raise money for vaccines, said the total raised in six days solely by the couple's followers in honour of Archie's birthday was $440,000 (£310,000).

That was then matched by Mastercard Impact Fund, Seadream Family Foundation, and a public charity, who matched $1 each up to $1m, giving a total on 12 May of $1.888m (£1.3m).

The royal couple are also co-chairs of Vax Live, which was a concert held in Los Angeles to raise money for vaccines.

The concert raised more than $302m (£212m) which will provide more than 26 million COVID-19 vaccine doses globally, for those who may be otherwise unable to access the jab.

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During the live event, Harry made a speech, and a video message from Meghan was played when the concert aired on television.

Harry said: "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."

In a video message, Meghan said: "As campaign chairs of VAX LIVE, my husband and I believe it's critical that our recovery prioritises the health, safety and success of everyone, and particularly women who have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic.

"Women, and especially women of colour, have seen a generation of economic gain wiped out. Since the pandemic began, nearly 5.5 million women have lost work in the US and 47 million more women around the world are expected to slip into extreme poverty."

Speaking about their unborn daughter she said: "My husband and I are thrilled to soon be welcoming a daughter. It's a feeling of joy we share with millions of other families around the world.

"When we think of her, we think of all the young women and girls around the globe who must be given the ability and support to lead us forward."

Harry and Meghan mark their third wedding anniversary on 19 May.

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