Prince Harry has returned to New York for a significant purpose: to pay tribute to his mother, Princess Diana.
At 40 years old, the Duke of Sussex has a busy schedule of activities to support several of his favorite charities, highlighting his commitment to the social causes dearest to his heart.
One of the most significant initiatives on his visit is the Diana Award, the only award honoring his mother’s memory.
This award focuses on empowering young people through social action and positive change.
Prince Harry in New York
Prince Harry joined the Diana Award celebration during the annual Concordia Summit on September 23.
The Duke of Sussex participated in a discussion moderated by Dr. Tessy Ojo, executive director of the award.
Joining Harry were Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang of Indonesia and Christina Williams of Jamaica, both recipients of the Diana Memorial Legacy Award.
During his speech, Prince Harry praised the new generation of young leaders.
In his speech, he said his mother would be proud of them:
“I applaud you for certainly, [at] your age, to be on this stage, to have the confidence that you do, and to be able to speak as clearly and as passionately as you do,” Harry said on stage. “And I know that my mom would be incredibly proud of you guys, not just you, but all of the award winners.”
Harry highlighted the positive impact these young people have on the world, noting that their bravery is a source of inspiration for him and others.
“The reason why I wanted to go last is because these guys are the ones that give me hope,” Harry said at the panel discussion after posing questions to the two award recipients. “I’ve said it years ago and I’ll say it again – the younger generation are, not putting too much pressure on you guys, you are what give me hope. The courage that you have gives me hope, because every single one of us need courage in order to really move the dial and create positive change in today’s world, probably more so now than ever.”
He continued, “So thank you to you guys for giving me and probably a whole lot of people in this room hope, and now we need to listen – constantly listen – and then act on the advice and the vision that you have, because otherwise it’s your future that’s being stolen from you, and that is unacceptable.”
The discussion focused on the mental health issues facing young people today, constructively addressing how outcomes can be improved for their generation.
The conversation highlighted the resilience and agency of young people, key elements in the quest for a better future.
The Diana Award was established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, with the support of her two sons, Princes Harry and William.
Both brothers have been actively involved in promoting this cause. Last March they attended a Legacy Award event in London. However, William was in person and Harry virtually.
Prince Harry’s activities in New York
In addition to the Diana Award event, Prince Harry’s visit to New York includes other important engagements.
Earlier in the day, he is expected to participate in an event with The HALO Trust, and during the week, he will be involved in the Clinton Global Initiative, as well as activities related to African Parks and Travalyst.
Prince Harry arrives at the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit in NYC. He spoke on the panel, “The Global Mental Health Crisis Among Young People: A Conversation with Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Dr Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of the Diana Award” pic.twitter.com/no4nfkwK8o
— Janine Henni (@JP_Henni) September 23, 2024
Harry’s visit comes against the backdrop of the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, led by his brother, Prince William, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, also taking place in New York, although it has been reported that William will not be present on this occasion.
Prince Harry’s return to New York underscores his commitment to social causes and his desire to honor his mother’s legacy. Through his active participation in mental health dialogues and promoting youth empowerment, Harry continues to work to make a positive impact on society.