Prince William is speaking on what would have been his mother Princess Diana‘s 61st birthday.
Today, the royal, 40, paid tribute to the latest recipients of the Diana Award. The award is named after the late royal and it honors people aged 9 to 25 years old for their social action and humanitarian work.
Prince William Reveals Heartfelt Letter on Mom Princess Diana’s Birthday
In a heartfelt letter to this year’s winners, William called them all “an inspiration.”
“Congratulations on receiving The Diana Award today! You are part of an inspirational generation of young people who are changing the world through your actions, and I hugely admire your efforts,” he wrote in the letter, which was written on official Kensington Palace stationery carrying his “W” royal cipher.
“I hugely admire your efforts. Your stories are remarkable. Many of you face huge challenges in the face of difficult times, yet you are tirelessly breaking down barriers to create a better future for us all,” he continued.
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“You truly are the personification of my mother’s legacy and I know she would be so proud of you all. I believe there’s no better way to celebrate her life and work than through recognizing incredible people who dedicate so much time and effort to helping those around them.”
Both William and along with his brother, Prince Harry, support the Diana Award, which is the only charity that carries their mother’s name. The award ceremony takes place virtually this Friday and will honor 180 changemakers and young philanthropists from 29 countries — including more than 20 winners from the U.S.
The charity said the “exceptional young people” being recognized have demonstrated their ability to mobilize their generation “through campaigning, volunteering, fundraising, fighting injustice or overcoming extreme life challenges.” What they have in common is that “they are changing their communities and the world.”
This August marks yet another difficult anniversary for the royal brothers—25 years since Princess Diana following a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.
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The CEO of the Diana Award, Tessy Ojo CBE, praised the latest recipients in a statement, “It is especially poignant as we remember Princess Diana 25 years on. We know by receiving this honor they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their own journey as active citizens.”
And while William and Harry’s relationship has been complex the past few years, they came together united last summer to unveil a statue erected in their late mother’s memory in Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden.
“Today, on what would have been our Mother’s 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength, and character – qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better,” William and Harry said in a joint statement released on July 1, 2021. “Every day, we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy.”
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