On what would have been Princess Diana’s 61st birthday, Prince William and Prince Harry honoured their late mother and reflected on her life in heartwarming messages delivered during the Diana Award ceremony on July 1.
Established in memory of the Princess of Wales, the Diana Award recognises young people who have demonstrated “their ability to inspire and mobilise their own generation to service their communities through campaigning, volunteering, fundraising, fighting injustice or overcoming extreme life challenges”, according to a statement from the charity.
This year over 180 children and young people were presented with the accolade, the ceremony also marks the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.
Prince William released a statement to honour this year’s recipients, telling award winners that they “are part of an inspirational generation of young people who are changing the world through your actions.”
“Congratulations on receiving The Diana Award today!
“I hugely admire your efforts,” he wrote.
“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. I believe there’s no better way to celebrate her life and work than through recognising incredible people who dedicate so much time and effort to helping those around them.
“I hope that you stand proud in the knowledge that you are making a real difference and that you enjoy today’s ceremony — you deserve it!”
Prince Harry delivered a speech during the virtual ceremony via zoom where he spoke of his late mother’s “drive to speak up and fight for a better world”.
“There isn’t a day during the past two and half decades where I haven’t thought about the mark left not only on me and my brother, but on all of our lives,” he said.
“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.”
In 2021 , William and Harry unveiled a statue of their mother at Kensington Palace in honour of her birthday.
In a joint statement, Willian and Harry said: “Every day, we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy.”
Prince William recently opened up about the loss of his mother and the grief he still experiences during a moving memorial service for the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing on May 10, 2022.
During the official opening of the Glade of Light Memorial, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge honoured the 22 victims who died and the countless others who were injured during the incident by laying flowers at the site and meeting with those who lost loved ones. Kate paid a subtle tribute to the community of Manchester by wearing earrings with bees on them which is the local symbol of the city.
During a touching speech, William paid tribute to the victims while opening up about his own grief.
“As someone who lives with his own grief, I also know that what often matters most to the bereaved is that those we have lost are not forgotten,” William said.
“There is comfort in remembering. In acknowledging that, while taken horribly soon, they lived. They changed our lives. They were loved, and they are loved.
“It is why memorials such as the Glade of Light are so important. Why Catherine and I so wanted to be amongst you today.”