Prince Harry paid a very emotional tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, ahead of the 25th anniversary of her death.
While giving a speech at Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, he honored his mom by highlighting the aspects of her character that he felt best represented her. He also explained how he intended to reflect his mother’s legacy, adding that he wished his children, Archie and Lilibet, could have gotten to know their grandmother before she died.
Read on for more details.
Prince Harry Wished His Children Met His Mother
The Duke of Sussex paid a moving tribute to his mother, Princess Diana, ahead of the 25th anniversary of her death at the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup event yesterday. He explained how he planned to reflect on Diana’s legacy for her 25th anniversary, adding that he wished his children, Archie and Lilibet, could have gotten to know their grandmother.
“My dear friend Prince Seeiso and I founded Sentebale 16 years ago in honor of our mothers, with a mission to support many of the most vulnerable young people on the planet – and to give them care and help them thrive,” he began (per Newsweek).
He continued, “I want it to be a day filled with memories of her incredible work and love for how she did it. I want it to be a day to share the spirit of my mum with my family, with my children, who I wish could have met her. Every day, I hope to do her proud.”
Princess Diana Will Certainly Not Be ‘Forgotten’
While speaking at the charity event, Harry acknowledged that the charity was named after the Lesotho “forget-me-not” flower and that his mother “will certainly never be forgotten.”
“In Sesotho, the language of the Basotho – the word Sentebale means ‘forget me not.’ Next week is the 25th anniversary of my mother’s death, and she most certainly will never be forgotten. I want it to be a day filled with memories of her incredible work and love for how she did it.”
He also promised to honor his mom by continuing her work. “She was tireless in her work to support and destigmatize those experiencing HIV/AIDS. I hope we can remember my mother’s legacy by recommitting to those we serve, whoever and wherever that may be.”
He concluded, “For Sentebale, our commitment is to ending HIV and providing meaningful care and support for the children and young people whose lives have been affected by this disease. Because they too will never be forgotten.”
Prince Harry Paid Tribute To Princess Diana During UN Speech
This tribute follows other tributes he has made this year. In a speech to the United Nations, Prince Harry spoke of a treasured picture that depicted a meeting between his late mother and the former South African President, Nelson Mandela.
According to Newsweek, He started his speech with a tribute to Mandela, adding that many people didn’t know him physically, but they were able to learn more about the icon through his letters, speeches, and shirts he sported.
Additionally, many people came to know him through the vast array of photographs of the leader left after his death. “On my wall, and in my heart, every day is an image of my mother and Mandela meeting in Cape Town in 1997.”
He added, “When I first looked at the photo, straight away what jumped out was the joy on my mother’s face. The playfulness, cheekiness, even. A pure delight to be in communion with another soul so committed to serving humanity.”
Princess Diana Passed Away Following Ghastly Car Crash
The Princess was tragically killed from the injuries she sustained in a high-speed motor crash while in a Paris tunnel on August 31, 1997.
According to the BBC, the car was said to have been driving at about 60 miles per hour and crashed into a pillar in an underpass. Per The Independent, the Princess was still alive at the time of the crash. She was taken to Pitié Salpêtrière hospital, where she eventually succumbed to the crash’s impact.
Her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and the driver of the car Henri Paul also lost their lives along with her. There was only one survivor of the crash, Fayed’s bodyguard, Trevor Rees Jones, who was in a coma for about ten days.