For Archie Mountbatten-Windsor’s second birthday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled some of their work around the Covid-19 vaccines. They were already co-chairs for the Vax Live event, the platform of which included the request that Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer provide millions of vaccines at little to no cost to developing nations. On the Archewell site, Meghan and Harry explained their donation scheme for Archie’s birthday:

We have been deeply touched over the past two years to feel the warmth and support for our family in honor of Archie’s birthday. Many of you donate to charities on his behalf, and mark the occasion by giving back or doing an act of service—all through the goodness of your hearts. You raise funds for those who need it most, and continue to do so organically and selflessly. We remain incredibly grateful.

This year, our world continues to be on the path to recovery from COVID-19. Yet too many families are still struggling with the impact of this pandemic. While some places are on the verge of healing, in so many parts of the world, communities continue to suffer. As of today, around 80 percent of the nearly one billion COVID-19 vaccine shots that have been given were administered in wealthier countries. While we may feel that normalcy is around the corner, we remind ourselves that in much of the world, and especially in developing countries, vaccine distribution has effectively yet to start.

We will not be able to truly recover until everyone, everywhere, has equal access to the vaccine. And with that intention, we are inviting you to contribute whatever you can—if you have the means to do so—to bring vaccines to families in the world’s most vulnerable places.

For a donation of just $5, you can cover the cost of a dose for someone in need. And because we were able to secure matching support from a number of organizations, that $5 you give will automatically turn into $20—covering the cost of four doses. Every single dollar counts—not only will it help save lives but it will help save families and communities.

We cannot think of a more resonant way to honor our son’s birthday. If we all show up, with compassion for those we both know and don’t know, we can have a profound impact. Even a small contribution can have a ripple effect. Together, we can uplift, protect, and care for one another.

[From Archewell]

So the donation page for Archie’s birthday was all set up on Global Citizen’s website, and donations have quadruple the impact because of matched funds from (presumably) private corporate sponsors. Very smart.

But that’s not all! Harry and Meghan also penned an open letter calling on the CEOs of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Novavax for specific goals, like increasing production for vaccines, expediting delivery schedules, and committing a certain amount of vaccines for free. You can also sign their open letter here.

And in addition to all that, they posted this sepia-toned photo of Archie on Achewell. My theory is that Archie is no longer a redhead! I think he was quite ginger-y when he was a baby and his hair is getting a lot darker.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Archewell, social media.