The Duke of Sussex has said he sees his mother’s “legacy” when he looks at his children, as he hailed the recipients of an award honouring the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Harry launched the virtual Diana Award ceremony by telling the young “changemakers” their positive actions kept the princess’s voice “alive”, and they were the solution to the “disagreement, conflict and anger” seen across the globe.
In a written tribute to the award winners, the Duke of Cambridge also praised the group of more than 180 from around the world, and echoed his brother’s words by saying they were the “personification of my mother‘s legacy”.
"All of you have helped keep her voice alive by showing the world how each small action counts, how kindness is still valued, and how our world can be better if we choose to make it so." - The Duke of Sussex
Watch the ceremony live: https://t.co/0U5lSowPhF#2022DianaAwards pic.twitter.com/qLBvZzeqYq— The Diana Award (@DianaAward) July 1, 2022
Advertisement
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 and the ceremony was held on what would have been her 61st birthday.
The organisation’s three key initiatives are a mentoring programme for young people at risk, a youth-led, anti-bullying ambassadors campaign, and an award scheme – the Diana Award – which recognises young people, aged nine to 25, for their social action or humanitarian work around the world.
Speaking at the start of the awards ceremony Harry said: “There isn’t a day during the past two and a half decades I haven’t thought about the mark she left not only on me and my brother but on all of our lives.
“I see her legacy in all of you, I see her legacy in a Diana Award community that spans multiple generations.
“I see her legacy every time I meet with families, young people and children from all corners of the world.
“And I see my mum’s legacy when I look at my own children every single day.”
Harry and his wife Meghan brought their children Archie, aged three, and one-year-old Lilibet, to the UK in June when they attended celebrations marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The duke added: “My mother instilled in me, and in all of us, a drive to speak up and fight for a better world and now, as a husband and a parent, my mother’s voice is even stronger in my life.
“All of you have kept her voice alive by showing the world how each small action counts, how kindness is still valued and how our world can be better if we choose to make it so.”
During the virtual ceremony more than 180 children and young people were recognised for inspiring their peers to support their communities by campaigning, volunteering, fighting injustice or overcoming extreme life challenges.
Wow, what a ceremony!!
Huge congratulations again to our Diana Award recipients, we’ve been so inspired by your stories – you really are changing the world.
To read the recipient stories visit the roll of honour https://t.co/LRa7Or0K9r pic.twitter.com/deHx2IdsDy— The Diana Award (@DianaAward) July 1, 2022
Harry concluded the ceremony by telling the young people watching they could “create positive change”, adding: “We know that our young people face unique challenges to their mental health and wellbeing, increasing social and economic barriers, and a world consumed by disagreement, conflict and anger.
“But we need to listen to you and we need to empower you, because you are our only way out of the mess.”
William said in his written tribute to the recipients: “Your stories are remarkable.
“Many of you face huge challenges in the face of difficult times, yet you are tirelessly breaking down barriers to create a better future for us all.
“Thank you for your compassion, bravery and absolute determination.
“You truly are the personification of my mother‘s legacy and I know she would be so proud of you all.”
