The royal gave an emotional tribute to his late mother during the 2022 Diana Award ceremony.
Prince Harry gave a new, heartfelt tribute to his mother Princess Diana this Friday.
The Duke of Sussex made a virtual appearance at this year’s Diana Award ceremony, on what would have been her 61st birthday. While addressing the young people who were honored for their social action or humanitarian work, the royal reflected on his mother’s legacy, and said that he now feels her influence even more “as a husband and a parent.”
“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,” he said.
He also thanked the recipients for helping “keep her voice alive” through their advocacy, and said that he sees the late royal’s legacy every day through his children, 3-year-old Archie and 1-year-old Lilibet.
“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 day.”
Later in the ceremony, Harry honored Priya Patel, one of 20 American recipients. Patel, 17, is the founder and director of Peer Responders, which the royal called “a groundbreaking organization with a mission to combat depression and suicide through friendship.”
He added that the young New Jersey resident has created learning courses which have helped hundreds of students and young people around the world, and that she has helped inspire the next generation of “compassionate young leaders to step in and help those in need.”
In his final appearance, the royal said, “My mother knew that young people have the power to accomplish anything. And can act beyond their years as the leaders we so desperately need right now.”
“I know the memory I hold of my mum will never fade, because I see her spirit in each of you. So, thank you for keeping her fire alive,” he concluded.
Read his full opening speech below.
Hello everyone and thank you all for joining us for the Diana Awards 2022. Today, we’re reflecting on what would have been my mother’s 61st birthday. And this year is also 25 years since her passing. There isn’t a day during the past two and half decades where 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 day.
This is a special year, and one where I hope we take extra time to not just remember her as she lived, but to reflect on the life she continues to lead through so many, including the young change makers with us today. 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 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.
To everybody who is part of this afternoon know that you are already making a difference, and we need you to keep making a difference. Don’t ever give up on the idea that each of you can create lasting and much-needed change. And with that, it’s my great pleasure to welcome you all and invite you to meet this year’s amazing young leaders receiving The Diana Award.
Source: HarpersBazaar.com
