The 20 Legacy Award winners from around the world gathered at the Science Museum in London for a special event celebrating the organization’s 25th anniversary on Thursday. The Diana Award was set up two years after Diana, the Princess of Walesdiedfollowing a Paris car crash in 1997.
Appearing via video call, the Duke of Sussex, 39, told the winners, “My mum would be incredibly proud of all of the work that you’ve done, I’m incredibly proud and thank you for doing everything that you do.”
“I’m sorry I can’t be there. I wish I could be there with you guys,” he added.
The Duke of Sussex appeared virtually at the event from his home in California.Casey Gutteridge
Casey Gutteridge
Harry also thanked the group for “protecting” his late mother’s legacy and shared that he was “seriously impressed” with all of their work. “The future’s yours and you’re helping to shape that future,” he added.
Prince Harry appears via video call to honor Diana Award winners.Casey Gutteridge
“Enjoy the rest of your evening if that’s what you plan to do,” Harry continued, adding with a laugh, “Don’t get in too much trouble if you’re continuing to go on. And thank you very much for inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mother’s legacy. I really appreciate that.”
“What an inspiring guy,” one of the winners noted after the call had finished.
Prince William gave a speech at the event, which took place at London’s Science Museum.Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty
Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty
Earlier at the event,Prince William, 41, joined the ceremony tomake a short speechcelebrating his mother’s legacy and present the awards to this year’s winners, three of whom are from the U.S.
During his speech, the Prince of Wales shared how his mother taught him that “everyone has the potential to give something back, that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life.” “That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years,” he added of his wifeKate Middleton.
There was no interaction between the brothers, whoappeared separately to support the event. Prince Harry’s video call didn’t start until around midnight, well after the main dinner was over. William left at around 8.30 p.m."
Prince William with one of the Legacy Award winners, Hailey Richman.Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty
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Tessy Ojo, CEO of the Diana Award, told PEOPLE, “It’s a privilege to have the support of both The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Sussex, particularly as we mark our 25th anniversary year."
Prince William and Prince Harry have both continued to celebrate the Diana Award despite their ongoing rift. In July, the brothersappeared in separate videosfor the annualDiana Award, with William helping to open the annual ceremony while Harry introduced a group of winners.
Ojo told PEOPLE of both princes’ involvement at the July event, “They want to walk in their mother’s footsteps. We are very grateful and privileged that we continue to have both their support in supporting young people on a personal level. They understand how these young people are passionate about social change.”
source: people.com
