Prince Harry attended a dinner hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in New York over the weekend, with his wife Meghan notably absent.
However, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, actor Forest Whitaker, several UN agency heads and other dignitaries were present at an event honouring survivors of child violence.
They are all in New York for the UN General Assembly, which begins Monday morning in Manhattan.
Officials from countries including Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland and Brazil, as well as survivors of child abuse, were also present to discuss this important topic.
The meeting comes a day after Harry attended Kevin Costner’s charity concert solo at his beachfront estate across the country in California while Meghan was said to be “ill”.
Prince Harry greets Queen Mathilde of Belgium during a high-level dinner on “Violence against children and its impact on mental health” in New York City
The event was organised by the WHO and was attended by politicians including Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who appears alongside Harry in the photo. Meghan was notably absent after missing a party at actor Kevin Costner’s house due to being “sick” the day before.
“Violence takes many forms, both physical and psychological, and each leaves a lasting impact on those who experience it,” event host Will Poulter told attendees.
‘With one billion children worldwide suffering from such violence, the statistics are staggering, but they represent real lives.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these children are protected.”
Also present were high-profile figures including Whitaker and Shudu Musida, who, along with survivors, helped draft an open letter last week demanding urgent action from world leaders to end violence against children.
This comes ahead of the first Global Ministerial Conference to End Violence against Children, which will take place in Colombia in November.
Signatories of the letter include Harry, Mathilde and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who was seen having a lengthy conversation with the Duke of Sussex and the actor during the event.
The Belgian royal also addressed the crowd, urging more to be done to help detained children who face corporal punishment, bullying, online violence and sexual abuse.
Other forms of violence reported by the group include gang violence, child marriage and child labour.
Forrest Whittaker was also in attendance and is seen here chatting with Prime Minister De Croo and the Duke of Sussex.
Harry is seen with World Health Organization chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, along with actor Whitaker and Queen Mathilde.
The Belgian royals posed alongside the star of The Last King of Scotland at the star-studded event, which takes place just hours before delegates arrive in Midtown Manhattan on Monday for the first day of the UN General Assembly.
The Belgian royal also addressed the crowd, urging more to be done for detained children who face corporal punishment, bullying, online violence and sexual abuse.
Meanwhile, Meghan was nowhere to be seen, after defending efforts designed to stop online bullying earlier this summer.
In August, the Duchess was seen lovingly clutching her husband’s knee on the set of CBS News Sunday Morning, as she detailed how She struggled with suicidal thoughts due to the abuse she received as a royal.
She told host Jane Pauley she hopes her candor will help young people around the world coping with similar feelings, while calling on her spouse for support.
“When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I think part of our healing journey – certainly part of mine – is being able to be really open about it,” Markle said as Harry, 39, looked on.
‘I’ve really scratched the surface of my experience, but I don’t think I’d ever want anyone else to feel that way.
“And I would never want anyone else to make those kinds of plans,” he added.
“And I would never want anyone else to be disbelieved.”
A source told the Mirror she missed Costner’s role at the Santa Barbara house because “she was ill and couldn’t attend.”
A-list personalities such as Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe and Pink were in attendance.
