Prince William Celebrates Young Leaders Making a Difference in Princess Diana’s Name
Prince William has penned a heartfelt tribute praising the extraordinary young individuals who have been awarded the prestigious Diana Award. This year, the award, named in honor of William and Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, celebrates its 25th anniversary. William’s letter, addressed to the 200 recipients from 45 countries, recognizes their transformative contributions and the compassion that fuels their work within their communities.
"I am so proud of the impact every one of you has had on your communities and beyond,” William wrote, highlighting their dedication and kindness. Recognizing the significant barriers these young individuals often overcome to achieve positive change, he expressed his heartening hope for the future. “Despite this, I am heartened to see what inspirational young people like you can achieve," he added, referring to the current difficult global landscape.
This year’s awardees resonates profoundly with Princess Diana’s legacy. William acknowledged her immense pride in these young leaders. “I know my mother, in whose memory you receive the Diana Award today, would be immensely proud of you.” He expressed his hope that the award would empower them to further champion their causes and inspire those around them.
Prince Harry also plays a significant role in supporting the Diana Award. Both brothers, despite their personal differences, remain passionate about upholding their mother’s humanitarian legacy. Harry recorded a video message honoring the recipients, echoing his brother’s sentiments about the impressive work done by young people around the globe. Notably, he met two recipients, Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia and Christina Williams from Jamaica, during his New York City visit in September.
A record-breaking 34 American recipients have been selected this year, highlighting the global reach of the Diana Award.
The virtual awards ceremony on December 5th will be accessible to all via YouTube.
The Diana Award, established in 1999, has emerged as a globally recognized symbol of youth empowerment and social change. Dr Tessy Ojo CBE, chief executive of the charity, emphasized the significance of this year’s cohort in her statement:
"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."
Domestic readers can watch the ceremony live on YouTube. The event promises to be a moving tribute to Princess Diana’s enduring legacy and the inspiring young people carrying her torch.
