Duke of Sussex issues plea after Palace dismisses UK role speculation
Harry has made an urgent appeal to protect the progress achieved in the global fight against HIV and AIDS, warning that funding cuts would amount to a “devastating betrayal.”
In a heartfelt statement, the Duke stressed that millions of lives remain at risk if preventative programmes are abandoned. He drew on the legacy of his late mother, Princess Diana, who was widely respected for challenging the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.
“Right now, babies are being born with HIV due to interruptions in antiretroviral treatment for their mothers,” Harry said. “Without urgent action to reverse these crippling funding cuts, 6 million more people will become infected with HIV while 4 million will die from AIDS-related causes within the next four years.”
He added that halting support would not only harm at-risk communities but also undermine wider public health. “We’ve proven that sustained investment saves lives and builds stronger communities. Abandoning this life-saving work now would be a devastating betrayal of progress for the millions who depend on these essential services.”
The Duke’s comments come shortly after reports that Palace insiders dismissed the idea of him taking on a “half-in, half-out” role in the UK.
