Today The Duke of Sussex joined A-list celebrity guests at a charity event, paying tribute to victims of the 9/11 terror attack. The BGC Charity Day 2019 fundraiser was held on the trading floor of BGC Partners in Canary Wharf, London.
Prince Harry, 34, rubbed shoulders with many other famous faces and charity ambassadors from actors, public figures and sporting icons, including London Mayor Sadiq Kahn, Olivia Colman, Kit Harrington, Alan Carr, Sir Tim Peake, Damien Lewis, Tom Daley and Holly Willoughby. Families who are being helped by the charities were also invited along to join the fun.
The #DukeOfSussex was manning the phones at #CanaryWharf this morning!
Prince Harry attended the 15th annual @BGCCharityDay, held each year by @bgcpartners to commemorate the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald and the 61 EuroBrokers employees who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. pic.twitter.com/bE0VmGVDDq
— The Royal Family Channel (@RoyalFamilyITNP) September 11, 2019
The Royal and other guests were tasked with stepping into the shoes of traders for the day. Under the guidance of BGC brokers and traders, the public figures competed with each other to seal deals over the telephone.
Prince Harry turns city trader at the BCG Charity Day 2019 (BCG Charity Day)
Prince Harry attended the event as patron of the Invictus Games, which is celebrating five years. Harry created the Invictus Games, an international adaptive multi-sport event, where wounded, injured or sick armed services members and veterans take part in nine sporting events, including sitting volleyball, indoor rowing and wheelchair basketball. The organisation will receive a percentage of funds raised during the days events.
The atmosphere of the day was electric with Harry successfully closing one of the largest trade deals of the last five years! A deal of £1.25 billion Government Bond Trades, known as Gilts were confirmed over the phone by the Duke. Despite the fact the royal visitor was juggling deals on three telephones, Prince Harry closed the impressive transaction, which is believed to have raised £50,000 for charity.
Prince Harry just closed a £1 BILLION UK Sterling government bond trade – known as Gilts. One of the largest trades in the market over the past 5 years. @BGCCharityDay #PrinceHarry pic.twitter.com/dni0qZQYKE
— Sarah Hajibagheri (@SaraHajibagheri) September 11, 2019
The co-head of the Gilts Department at BGC Partners, Ryder Brown said: “I thought he was excellent. It was very nerve-wracking but he handled the pressure well and closed the trade.”
The annual charity day is organised by the global brokerage and financial technology company BGC, in partnership with the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund. Company president, Shaun D. Lynn, explains that today’s event is held to pay tribute to the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald and 61 Eurobrokers employees who lost their lives in the devastating 9/11 terror attacks.
He said: “September 11th remains a day very close to our hearts and I am incredibly proud to be hosting our 15th Charity Day, which turns such a historic anniversary into an uplifting day for all involved.
“We have now raised over $150 million globally, an outstanding achievement, which would not be possible without the incredible support of our clients, staff and the charities involved each year.
Thank you @BGCCharityDay for the £50k raised in support of The @PrincesTrust & millions donated to other charities. Helping young people turn their lives around. #BGCCharityDay ? pic.twitter.com/NxHqSjCnzE
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) September 11, 2019
We will never forget those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attacks.
Great to be involved in @BGCCharityDay again, doing deals on the trading floor to raise money for @mayorsfund & other great charities, in memory of those who lost their lives. #BGCCharityDay pic.twitter.com/KFj8scXYuc
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) September 11, 2019
“I am looking forward to another day raising money for such worthwhile causes, and making this year’s Charity Day the best yet.”
This year is the 18th anniversary of the tragic September 11th terrorist attacks in the USA. A total of 2,996 people, excluding the 19 Al-Qaeda hijackers, died during the attacks on the New York World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.
Over the course of the day, 100% of the global revenue is donated to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and over 150 charities around the world, from cancer research, community development to assisting veterans and emergency services. Some of the charities benefiting from today’s fundraiser, along with the Invictus Games Foundation, include Muscular Dystrophy UK, Evelina London, Mencap, Neuroblastoma UK and The Prince’s Trust.
Since inception, the Charity Day has raised a staggering $159 million and was created to turn BGC’s most tragic day into a something positive. In 2018 alone, Charity Day raised $12 million. Cantor Fitzgerald Chairman and CEO, Howard Lutnik, said he was hoping today’s event would raise another $12 million over the course of the day.
Along with the event in London, BGC held tribute events in New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and São Paulo.
