Prince William and Prince Harry. Tim Rooke/Shutterstock; David Fisher/Shutterstock
Prince William and Prince Harry came together, albeit separately, to honor the achievements of inspiring young individuals with the Diana Award in memory of their beloved late mother, Princess Diana. Each prince delivered a heartfelt message in their own videos during the 2023 ceremony, which recognized the remarkable efforts of youth striving to create a more positive and improved world. Leading the event, William, aged 41, delivered a powerful speech, while Harry, aged 38, proudly introduced a group of winners from this year.
The Prince of Wales was introduced by former Diana Legacy Award winner Hannah Hodgson. He praised her and all the winners for overcoming challenges to achieve their goals. He highlighted their courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others. In his video aired on YouTube, he acknowledged the power of young people to inspire meaningful change. He emphasized the importance of organizations like The Diana Award and the impact of investing in young people, providing them with tools and opportunities to make a difference. The Prince expressed pride in continuing his mother's belief that young people can truly change the world.
Harry, on the other hand, made a later appearance on the program alongside Vee Kativhu, the recipient of the 2021 Diana Legacy Award, in a separate pre-recorded segment.
Harry expressed, "When someone takes the initiative to serve, they become part of this collective. No one is ever solely responsible for driving change. Each one of us has the power to contribute towards building a fairer world. The remarkable individuals we are celebrating today through these awards are living proof of that. They embody the idea that real change can occur when we speak up and use our voices."
The CIO of BetterUp shared a touching story about his mother, who tragically passed away in a car accident at the young age of 36 in 1996. He emphasized her belief in the transformative power of young people, recognizing their ability to challenge the status quo and advocate for a more inclusive and compassionate society.
He further expressed that his late mother's legacy continues to be a source of inspiration, guiding individuals on how to navigate the complexities of the modern world. He acknowledged that numerous challenges, such as climate change, mental well-being, and systemic injustices, disproportionately affect young people and their futures. While these obstacles may at times feel overwhelming, he finds hope in the collective power that emerges when people come together. He highlights the strength in the diversity of voices and perspectives, which contribute to tackling these challenges effectively.
William and Harry attended their father King Charles III's coronation separately at Westminster Abbey. William sat in the first row with his wife Princess Kate, while Harry sat with his cousins in the third row. There was no interaction between the two brothers during the ceremony. Later, Harry left the event early to return to California for his son's 4th birthday. Since stepping down from their senior royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have been estranged from the rest of the family. In his memoir, Spare, Harry described tense moments with his family, including a physical altercation with William after he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Meghan.
In the same month, a source exclusively informed us that William no longer recognizes his brother. The insider revealed that William is deeply shocked and disturbed by all of this, and while he wants to believe in the possibility of peace in the future, it is not easy for him.
According to the source, William found the chapters in the book to be disrespectful and offensive towards himself, Kate, and Charles. As a result, he currently has no intention of speaking to Harry. The insider also stated that William has accepted the loss of his younger brother, possibly permanently.
During the December 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan, Harry disclosed that the most distressing aspect of the entire situation has been the strain in his relationship with William. He expressed, "The most unfortunate part was the division that formed between my brother and me, as he now aligns himself with the institution. I comprehend that, you know? It's his birthright. Thus, it's already deeply rooted in him that he bears the responsibility of ensuring the survival and perpetuation of this institution."