Enthusiastic fans could not contain their excitement as Prince Harry appeared on screen via video link at the Diana Legacy Awards on March 14 to congratulate the winners.
The Duke of Sussex, dialled in from his home in Montecito, California, and was greeted with huge applause as he spoke to the young group of people who had been awarded for inspiring future generations.
Prince Harry issued a heartfelt apology stating: “I’m sorry I can’t be there, I wish I could be there with you guys.”
Addressing the room and Prince Harry on screen, award-winner, Sophie Pender said: “I’m Sophie from London and we really miss you here. It’s such a pleasure to meet you.”
Sophie, 27, founded the ‘93% club’, a student society dedicated to making universities a more inclusive space for state-educated students.
Another award-winner exclaimed she was “a huge fan” of both Princess Diana and Prince Harry, as he chuckled on-screen.
Harry added: “So much of the future depends on you guys, and you know that”, before he addressed the importance of the winners’ work, albeit small or large.”
During the evening, Prince Harry paid tribute to his mother and stated: “Thank you very much for inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mother’s legacy, I really appreciate that.”
Prince William who was physically present at the ceremony, handed out the awards and told the audience that he and his wife, the Princess of Wales, have sought to focus on Diana’s legacy through their work.
He said: “This evening’s Legacy Award is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary year of The Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect my mother’s belief that young people can change the world.”
After presenting the awards, Prince William met the winners and told them: “The breadth of what you all cover, I’m amazed.”
While the Diana Awards take place annually, the Legacy Award event is held every two years to celebrate the achievements of 20 “exceptional young leaders who are inspiring the next generation to follow in Diana, Princess of Wales’s footsteps and make a positive difference to the world”.
The prize marks one of the most prestigious accolades a young person aged 9-25 can receive for their social action work. The Diana Awards was set up two years after the royal’s shock death to honour young people who have improved the lives of others.
Last year the brothers congratulated the recipients on separate video messages but in previous years they attended the awards evening together.
