Prince Harry, 36, made the virtual appearance from the US via a livestream at the British GQ Men of the Year Awards in London. He presented the Hero Award to Professor Sarah Gilbert, Dr Catherine Green and the AstraZeneca team from the University of Oxford who were responsible for creating the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine. Dressed in a traditional black velvet tuxedo and speaking live from California at around 3pm Los Angeles time, the Prince said: “ I’m deeply honoured to be introducing our final awardees, who you’ll immediately recognise for their landmark contribution to the fight against COVID-19.

“Our heroes of this evening are Professor Sarah Gilbert, Doctor Catherine Green, and the entire team of dedicated Oxford scientists.

“Their breakthrough research on the Oxford Vaccine has brought the world one of our greatest tools for achieving vaccine equity.”

The Duke continued: “They also approached their mission with a humanitarian urgency.

“In April of last year, the Oxford Team packed up a shipment of research cultures and stealthily sent it to India—an early example of the biotech collaboration we need to bring this global crisis to an end.”

Prince Harry added: “Until every community can access the vaccine, and until every community is connected to trustworthy information about the vaccine, then we are all at risk.

“That’s a common refrain my wife and I have heard in convenings with vaccine experts, heads of industry, community advocates, and global leaders.”

The Prince then went on to highlight the extraordinary reach of the vaccine saying that “more than five billion” jabs have been given around the world so far, meaning that more than a third of the global population have received at least one dose.

“But there is a huge disparity between who can and cannot access the vaccine,” Prince Harry added.

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He said: “But tonight, we’re not honouring two ordinary people. These are two exceptional people—with a remarkable team—who are a bulwark of humanity.”

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8am update: ‘Back at school again!’ Princess Ingrid Alexandra returns to studies after Covid isolation

Princess Ingrid Alexandra has returned back to school, after recovering from coronavirus, her father has told.

The Norwegian princess was the first member of the foreign Royal family to test positive for the virus but has since recovered after some time away.

Crown Prince Haakon confirmed the news to Norwegian TV-channel NRK.

The TV network asked the Prince about his daughter during an event on September 1.

The Crown Prince said: “Princess Ingrid is well and back at school again.

“She felt it a little, but she has gotten well again and is up and running again.

“Nevertheless, this was a reminder to us that the virus situation is not quite over yet.”