Prince Harry pays emotional tribute to Diana hours after Prince William leaves event
Prince Harry joined a video call to congratulate the 2024 winners of the Diana Legacy Awards last night. Prince Harry made a virtual appearance at the Diana Legacy Awards last night, shortly after his brother Prince William left the event at the Science Museum in London. Dialling in from California several hours after his brother had left, the Duke of Sussex chatted with the winners of the award, which was set up two years after the royal’s shock death to honour young people who have improved the lives of others.
Harry was met with applause and laughter as he appeared on the room’s big screen and began by asking the group why they do what he does, before gushing over their role in the world. He said: “The impact that you’re having on hundreds, thousands, millions of people, without you guys doing that and without you inspiring other young people to do the same thing because it feels good, because it’s the right thing to do, but you also get so much from it, that inspiration is like this ripple effect that goes across the water.”
Joining the video link after the ceremony had concluded, Harry issued a heartfelt apology to the award winners stating: “I’m sorry I can’t be there, I wish I could be there with you guys.” Referencing his late mother, Harry added: “Thank you very much for inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mother’s legacy, I really appreciate that.” Prince William also took the time to pay tribute to his mother on the 25th anniversary of the charity. He told the audience that he and his wife, the Princess of Wales, have sought to focus on Diana’s legacy through their work.
He said: “This evening’s Legacy Award is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary year of The Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect my mother’s belief that young people can change the world.” He added that has taught him that “everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life”. After presenting the awards, Prince William met the winners and told them: “The breadth of what you all cover, I’m amazed.” Dr Tessy Ojo, chief executive of The Diana Award, told The Times: “It’s a privilege to have the support of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex – particularly as we mark our 25th anniversary year.”
While the Diana Awards take place annually, the Legacy Award event is held every two years to celebrate the achievements of 20 “exceptional young leaders who are inspiring the next generation to follow in Diana, Princess of Wales’s footsteps and make a positive difference to the world”. The prize marks one of the most prestigious accolades a young person aged 9-25 can receive for their social action work. Last year the brothers congratulated the recipients on separate video messages but in previous years they attended the awards evening together. But since Harry’s decision to step down as a senior working royal at the start of 2020 the pair have had separate involvements with the charity.
The Diana Award was set up to promote the princess’s belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. it is the only charity to specifically set up in her name. The event comes as the brothers continue to distance themselves from each other following a turbulent year, with the pair thought to have not seen each other in person since King Charles’s Coronation in May 2023. The pair did not meet when Harry spent a short time with the King at Clarence House following news of his cancer diagnosis last month.
