Princes Harry and William send separate messages to Diana Awards winners as charity marks 25th anniversary
The winners of the Diana Award, which was established in honor of their mother, are once again receiving individual congratulations from the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex.
William has praised the “extraordinary” beneficiaries for their “kindness and compassion” in a letter that was shared on Wednesday.
They heard William say, “My mother… would be immensely proud of you.”
That “world can feel an uncertain and unfamiliar place” is how the Prince puts it in his letter on notepaper headed by Kensington Palace.
The awardees were also commended by Wills for overcoming obstacles to “make positive change”.
In the meantime, Harry has a video message that will be shown during Thursday’s virtual Diana Award event.
The Duke will discuss how Diana’s perspective on the world continues to motivate him while outlining the “systemic injustices” and other difficulties the world faces.
Like William, he will bring up the charity’s goal of encouraging youth to make “positive change.”
Harry will state: “I am still motivated by my mother’s faith in the ability of youth to effect constructive change.
“No matter the challenges we face, whether it’s climate change, mental health or systemic injustices, her legacy and the efforts of young people to inspire further action in the world fill me with hope.”
The long-standing animosity between the royal brothers grew worse after Harry made accusations against William and the Princess of Wales in his Spare memoirs and Netflix documentary.
Despite the royal family’s health issues in 2024, their strained relationship doesn’t appear to be improving.
The charity, which is commemorating 25 years after it was founded in memory of the late Princess Diana of Wales, “has the support of both her sons, HRH The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex,” according to the Diana Award.
William and Harry gave different speeches at the Diana Legacy Award in March. William attended the ceremony in London in person, and Harry used a livestream to address the winners after his brother had departed.
Following a record amount of nominations, 200 young people from 45 countries will receive this year’s Diana Award for humanitarian or social action initiatives on Thursday.
In the letter, William writes: “Congratulations on winning the Diana Award!
“The influence each of you has had on your communities and beyond makes me incredibly proud.
“You are all improving the world because you are motivated by compassion and goodwill.
“In this special 25th anniversary year for the Diana Award, it is wonderful to see young people from across the globe being recognised.”
“The world can feel like an unknown and strange place at times, and I know many of you have had to work hard to overcome barriers to make positive change,” he continued.
“In spite of this, I am encouraged by what positive young people like you can do. You are receiving the Diana Award today in honor of my mother, who I know would be very proud of you.
“I hope that receiving this award will enable you to support those around you and continue to advocate for your cause. I appreciate your commitment. All of you are truly remarkable.
“William” signed the letter.
The duke will be seen in Harry’s film talking with and standing next to Legacy Award winners Christina Williams, 27, of Jamaica, and Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, 18, of Indonesia.
The “incredible achievements of young people who exemplify the spirit of the Diana Award” will be praised by the duke.
Additionally, he will say: “Your actions serve as a forceful reminder that everyone has the capacity to help create a more equitable world, even though sometimes it seems that no one individual can solve the world’s issues.
“No-one is ever a conduit for change alone and the award recipients we’re honouring today are testament to that.”
When the duke met Chiara and Christina at a Diana Award event in New York in September, his message was captured on tape.
“We congratulate our new Diana Award recipients from the UK and around the world who are inspiring change for their generation,” said Tessy Ojo, the charity’s chief executive.
Our 25th anniversary year and our most competitive year to date, with record nominations, make this event unique.
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“This new cohort of Diana Award recipients demonstrate that young people have the power to change the world; a belief also held by Diana, Princess of Wales.”
You may watch the Diana Award ceremony on YouTube on Thursday at 3 p.m.
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