Princes William and Harry Honor Princess Diana's Legacy — But Keep a Day's Distance Between Them to Dodge Drama
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex will honor their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, separately.
Princes William, 42, and Harry, 40, have once again honored their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales' legacy — albeit from separate stages in a call back to their avoidance of one another at the Diana Legacy Award event in March.
The 2024 Diana Award ceremony, celebrating its 25th anniversary, became the latest backdrop highlighting the enduring chasm between the once-inseparable brothers.
Harry, ever the advocate for youthful dynamism, delivered a heartfelt video message during the virtual event. He lauded the 200 young changemakers from 45 countries, emphasizing, "My mother believed in the power of young people to change the world. She saw your potential and would be proud of what you've accomplished."
His words resonated with the spirit of Diana, who was known for her unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes.
Meanwhile, William chose the pen over the camera, conveying his admiration through a letter. He commended the awardees' "kindness, compassion and determination," noting, "You are the personification of my mother's legacy, and I know she would be so proud of you all."
The Diana Award, established in 1999, continues to empower young individuals through mentoring, anti-bullying initiatives, and mental health support, which are all causes the late royal pioneered in the 1990s.
This year's ceremony, live-streamed on YouTube, showcased various social action projects addressing sustainable development goals, inclusive education, and climate change. Dr. Tessy Ojo, the charity's CEO, celebrated the milestone, stating, "These young people are the change-makers of today, inspiring us all with their courage and commitment."
Despite their shared commitment to their mother's legacy, the princes' separate tributes reflect their ongoing estrangement. Their last joint appearance was in July 2021, unveiling a statue of Diana at Kensington Palace. Since then, individual engagements have become the norm.
Royal observers note that the brothers' independent support for the Diana Award highlights their dedication to honoring their mother's memory, even amid personal differences.
For now, the separate tributes at the Diana Award ceremony stand as a testament to both their shared love for their mother and the complex dynamics of their relationship.
This led a royal insider to observe, "The global audience remains hopeful that the values Diana championed — kindness, compassion, and unity — will eventually guide her sons back to common ground. Indeed, as the world watches, there's hope that their mutual respect for Diana's legacy might one day serve as a bridge to reconciliation."
The siblings reportedly spoke sporadically after the 2021 event, but by the time Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix documentary hit, followed by the fifth in line to the throne's memoir, Spare, in January 2023, the rift went "nuclear."
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Newsweek reported on the Diana Awards.
