Prince Harrygave his wifeMeghan Marklea special shoutout during hisUnited Nations speech.
The couple appeared in New York City on Monday, where Harry addressed the assembly as part of Nelson Mandela Day. During the speech,Prince Harryspoke about his own passion for Africa since his first visit at age 13 — including how it connected him to two important women in his life: his wife, Meghan, and his mother, Princess Diana.
“For most of my life, it has been my lifeline, a place where I found peace and healing time and time again,“Prince Harrysaid. “It’s where I felt closest to my mother and sought solace after she died, and where I knew I had found a soulmate in my wife.”
Meghan, 40, andPrince Harry, 37, have traveled to Africa together several times, including a visit to Botswana early in their relationship in the summer of 2016 — after just two dates over two consecutive days in London.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Michael M. Santiago/Getty
Harry, who has called Africa his “second home,” has made both public and private trips to the country throughout the years. He’s helped with conservation work, especially with rhinos and elephants, in addition to getting to know its people and their struggles.
“When I first looked at the photo, straight away what jumped out is the joy on my mother’s face. The playfulness — cheekiness, even,” Harry, 37, said. “The pure delight to be in communion with another soul so committed to serving humanity.”
He continued that Mandela was also “beaming” despite all the hardships he endured.
“[He was] still able to see the goodness in humanity, still buoyant with a beautiful spirit that lifted everyone around him,” Harry said of the former South African president and civil rights advocate. “Not because he was blind to the ugliness, the injustices of the world — no. He saw them clearly. He had lived them. But because he knew we could overcome them.”
Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana.Sasa Kralj/AP Images
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
In aVoguefeature last month, Meghan said that the reversal ofRoe v. Wadewas about “women’s physical safety” as well as “economic justice, individual autonomy and who we are as a society.”
DiscussingPrince Harry’s thoughts on the decision, Meghan said, “His reaction last week was guttural, like mine.”
source: people.com
