Inside Prince Harry’s Speech at the Diana Award Ceremony That Sparked Mixed Reactions

The Duke of Sussex highlighted the importance of continuing his mother’s humanitarian legacy in his speech, which also touched on themes of leadership, resilience, and social change.

At the Diana Award Ceremony in 2021, Prince Harry took the spotlight to recognize and celebrate young individuals making a difference. He spoke passionately about their efforts, describing them as valuable assets to their communities.

His speech also celebrated his mother, Princess Diana’s legacy, but it sparked a heated debate online. While some acknowledged the impact of his words, others wondered if they were genuine.

Harry, who attended the event virtually, first recognized and celebrated the young people who joined him for the Diana Awards, describing it as an “important moment.” The duke referred to the young people awarded as “valuable assets,” to their community.

“I’m truly honored to be celebrating your work, your commitment to change-making, and the vital role you’ve taken on representing a new generation of humanitarianism,” he enthused.

Harry also shared that later that week, he and Prince William would be celebrating what would have been their mum’s 60th birthday. He continued, “And she would be so proud of you all for living authentic life with purpose and with compassion for others.”

The duke emphasized that Princess Diana had unwavering faith in the ability of young people to make a difference. He noted that she recognized their resilience, having witnessed it firsthand in those she met.

Their energy and determination left a lasting impression on her, reinforcing her belief in their potential to drive meaningful change. Harry divulged that he too, could see and celebrate those similar values in young people.

“As it has done for 21 years now, The Diana Award carries her legacy forward by putting young people at the center of our future. This has never been more important,” he noted.

Referencing his wife, Meghan Markle, Harry stated, “And Meg and I fundamentally believe that our world is at the cusp of change, real change for the good of all.

The duke also spoke about the challenges ahead, questioning what form this change would take. The COVID-19 pandemic, he noted, exposed deep-rooted inequalities, disproportionately affecting women, people of color, and marginalized communities.

The crisis underscored ongoing disparities, particularly in the global response to vaccination efforts. Harry acknowledged the role of young people in addressing these issues.

He stressed, “There is great need for young leadership and there is no greater time to be a young leader. I believe in you. We believe in you. And that belief in your own ability to change the world, in doing the right thing, is what makes you a force to be reckoned with.”

Harry encouraged viewers to take inspiration from the 2021 Diana Awards recipients’ efforts and contribute to a future built on compassion, support, and a shared sense of responsibility, both online and in everyday life.

He concluded, “Stand up for what you believe in and trust that when you live by truth and in service to others, people will see that just as they did with my mom.”

Harry’s speech was viewed by many, who weighed in on social media. Some people questioned his sincerity and others praised his words.

One critic dismissed his message, “Yep he really lives by his words not!throws his own family under a bus and yet here he is preaching make no mistake Megs directed him wrote the speech. Despicable pair [sic].”

Another person with similar views, stated, “She would be totally disappointed.” One more person remarked, “Very disappointed you have used Harry. He may be her son, but he is no where near anything she would recognize any more [sic].”

However, not everyone agreed with these harsh assessments. A different perspective emerged from a fan who defended Harry, “A mother would always recognize her son. He is exactly who he should be. That’s not for us to judge. Stop being so uppity and let people live.”

Others celebrated his words, “Beautiful words from a beautiful heart. Exactly as your mother would do too.🥰”

One fan challenged those who assumed Diana would disapprove, “What makes you so sure? There was nothing more important to her than her children. She despised what royal life did to her. I am positive she would have encouraged his independence. Like Randy Andy, Harry never had to follow the protocols his brother had to.”

As much as the online discussion reflected a passionate divide, the officials at the Diana Awards charity were honored by Prince Harry’s message, including its chief executive, Tessy Ojo, who highlighted its significance.

She emphasized, “It is such an honor to have the Duke of Sussex saying this wonderful message of congratulations to the young people. For him to say to the young people that his mother would be proud of them means so much.”

Ojo noted that his recognition served as a powerful affirmation of their efforts, reinforcing the impact of their work. She also expressed, “Every time her sons talk about the pride they have in the work that is being done in her name, brings me so much joy.”

Harry, like his brother William, has shown a deep commitment to the Diana Award, the only charity that bears their mother’s name. Following Harry’s speech, he introduced 16-year-old Jacqueline Teague from Louisville, Kentucky, one of the 25 U.S. recipients of the Diana Award.

“I am so proud to be recognized as the Diana Award recipient and being even near the name Princess Diana is just such an honor because of so much work that she’s done throughout her life. So it’s really incredible,” she gushed.

Teague was recognized for her efforts in helping people access COVID-19 vaccinations, a cause she took on after witnessing her own grandparents struggle to sign up for their shots.

Motivated by their experience, she launched VaxconnectKY, a campaign dedicated to ensuring that residents of Kentucky, particularly those less familiar with technology, could easily register for vaccinations.

Her work addressed a widespread issue, as many elderly and vulnerable individuals faced difficulties navigating the online registration process.

On the other hand, at the time of Harry’s speech, preparations were underway for the unveiling of a new statue honoring Diana. The statue was created to celebrate Diana’s legacy and recognize the lasting impact she had in the U.K. and beyond.

Plans for the tribute were first announced in 2017, a year filled with commemorations marking two decades since her passing in a car accident in Paris in 1997 at the age of 36.

To ensure a meaningful and fitting representation, William and Harry established a committee that included one of their mother’s sisters, along with friends, experts, and individuals connected to her charity work.

They selected Ian Rank-Broadley, renowned for his depiction of Queen Elizabeth II on British coins since 1998, as the sculptor responsible for crafting the statue.

The new statue of Diana was scheduled for unveiling on, July 1, 2021, which would have been her 60th birthday. The memorial would feature a plaque, a playground, and a fountain surrounding the sculpture, commemorating the late princess.

By the time of the unveiling, Harry had already relocated to the U.S. in March 2020 with his wife, Meghan, where they are raising their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

According to a source during that period, Harry’s visit to the U.K. for the statue’s unveiling alongside his brother would be brief. “It’ll be a fleeting visit. He’ll be in and out,” the insider stated.

Harry was eager to return to Montecito, California, to be with Meghan, especially as she had just given birth to their daughter, Lilibet, on June 4, 2024. “While the brothers are uniting for the unveiling, sadly, they won’t get to spend much time together,” the source added.

Another source confirmed that Harry would not be highly visible during his stay, as he would be adhering to health protocols. His visit required him to take a COVID-19 test, quarantine for 10 days, and undergo a second test before reuniting with his family.

Harry’s return to the U.K. marked his first time seeing his family since attending the funeral of Prince Philip in April 2021. On that occasion, he had traveled alone, as Meghan, who was heavily pregnant, had been advised by her doctors not to fly.

Amid speculation about her attendance, ITV News royal producer Lizzie Robinson confirmed via a post on X, “Meghan will not fly to the U.K. to join Harry for the unveiling of a statue of his late mother Princess Diana on July 1st, a source confirmed after a US website claimed she would be attending.

As much as Meghan didn’t attend, a select group of attendees stood by Harry William. These included Diana’s close family members, members of the statue committee, sculptor Rank-Broadley, and Pip Morrison, the designer of Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden.

The event was scaled down due to COVID-19 restrictions, and there was no confirmation from the palace regarding William’s wife, Catherine Middleton’s presence.

Despite the challenges of a reduced guest list and the then health protocols, the event underscored the ongoing legacy of Diana and the importance of commemorating her life.

Furthermore, Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. for the statue unveiling, although brief, marked a significant moment of reflection and remembrance for his mother, Diana.