Prince William to honour Princess Diana’s 64th birthday with powerful tribute to her legacy

On what would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday, Prince William is choosing to honour his mother’s memory not with fanfare, but through action that reflects her enduring compassion.

On July 1, the Prince of Wales will travel to Sheffield in northern England to mark the second anniversary of Homewards, his ambitious five-year initiative aimed at ending homelessness across the U.K.

This cause goes beyond royal duty for Prince William — it’s one that reflects the values of his late mother. Princess Diana was known for her direct engagement with social issues, including homelessness, and her compassion left a lasting impression. William has often acknowledged how her work continues to influence his own approach.

Ahead of his visit, the Prince released a heartfelt open letter to the six locations participating in the Homewards project: Sheffield, Newport (South Wales), Aberdeen (Scotland), Northern Ireland, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and Lambeth (London).

In the letter, he praised their progress and declared that the initiative is now firmly in “delivery mode”.

“Your experiences are what makes Homewards unique and powerful,” he wrote.

“We have the ability to harness our collective capabilities, expertise, and resources towards this common cause. I am immensely proud to say that your collective effort has already allowed us to achieve lasting impact.

“I am confident we can lead and inspire understanding, empathy and optimism that homelessness can be ended. Focus is also important, and you have identified the groups particularly at risk of homelessness in your locations to drive solutions that show it is possible to prevent their homelessness.

“While visiting the six locations, I have been inspired by the motivation, creativity, and expertise that is embodied in each location and the tangible difference you are making for some of society’s most vulnerable.

“Keep going!”

Princess Diana sadly died on August 31, 1997, following a tragic car accident in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris. The crash, which also claimed the lives of her companion Dodi Al Fayed and driver Henri Paul, sent shockwaves across the globe.

The outpouring of grief was unprecedented, with millions of people mourning her loss. Flowers, cards, and tributes filled the streets outside Kensington Palace, and a sea of floral tributes blanketed the palace gates.

The nation and the world watched in collective sorrow as her funeral was broadcast live, drawing an estimated 2.5 billion viewers globally.