Prince Harry makes surprise appearance
Prince Harry has delivered a stirring speech at a virtual ceremony for the Diana Awards.
Named after the Duke of Sussex’s late mother Princess Diana, the annual awards pay tribute to young people for their hard work and humanitarian services.
Harry landed in the United Kingdom on Friday ahead of the unveiling of a Diana statue at Kensington Palace this Thursday.
The royal paid tribute to his mum and even mentioned his distant brother, Prince William.
“I’m truly honoured to be celebrating your work, your commitment to change making and the vital role that you’ve taken on representing a new generation of humanitarianism,” he began.
“Later this week, my brother and I are recognising what would have been our mum’s 60th birthday, and she would be so proud of you all for living authentic life with purpose and with compassion for others.
“Our mum believed that young people have the power to change the world.
“She believed in your strength because she saw it day in and day out and in the faces of young people exactly like you, she witnessed a boundless enthusiasm and passion,” he added.
“And I too see those same values shine through as it has done for 21 years now, The Diana Award carries her legacy forward by putting young people at the centre of our future - and this has never been more important.”
Harry went on to honour the Diana Award recipients and thanked them all for “inspiring him” with their “brilliance, determination and compassion.”
“You are putting the ‘do’s’ behind the ‘say’s’, and this is the personification of our mother’s legacy.”
“Never be afraid to do what’s right. Stand up for what you believe in and trust that when you live by truth and in service to others, people will see that just as they did with my mum,” he added.
Harry will attend a scaled-back ceremony at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden to unveil the statue of Diana on what would have been her 60th birthday.
A statement by Kensington Palace reads: “Prince William and Prince Harry will attend a small event to mark the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace on Thursday July 1.”
“In addition to close family of Diana, Princess of Wales, members of the statue committee, the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, and garden designer, Pip Morrison, will also be present.”