WILLIAM AND HARRY PAY TRIBUTE TO THEIR MOTHER’S LEGACY
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex put their differences aside to pay tribute to their mother Diana, Princess of Wales at a glittering awards ceremony.
Princes William and Harry each made an appearance to honour Diana’s legacy, but they did so hours – and thousands of miles – apart.
While William was guest of honour at the Diana Legacy Award ceremony at the Science Museum in London, where 250 guests watched him hand out awards to 20 young people from around the world, Harry, 39, made a video call afterwards from his home in California.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Diana Award, a charity set up two years after the Princess’s death to reflect her belief that young people have the power to change the world.
William walked on stage to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck – which he later said was his son “George’s song” – before saying of his mother: “I know that she would have been honoured to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe. She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life.
“That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years. I am so proud to see this belief of my mother’s manifested in the amazing young people receiving the Legacy Award tonight.”
At around midnight, in a call to the 20 winners back at their hotel, Harry said: “I’m sorry I am not there. I wish I could be there with you guys.”
Smiling, he added: “My mum would be incredibly proud of all the work that you’ve done. I’m incredibly proud and thank you for doing everything that you do.
“Thank you very much for inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mother’s legacy. I really appreciate that.”
Guests included Baroness Lawrence, interior designer Kelly Hoppen, TV presenter Andrea McLean and former Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing. Actor Cel Spellman and former award winner Diana Chao hosted, while musician Tom Walker performed.
CHANGING THE WORLD
The winners of this year’s Legacy Award – the charity’s highest honour, handed out every two years – were “exceptional young changemakers” from the UK, the US, Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Oma
