Prince Harry revealed that fulfilling Princess Diana’s landmine legacy “is a responsibility that [he takes] incredibly seriously” in an emotional speech Monday.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, spoke at an event in NYC to support The HALO Trust, the charity which first gained international acclaim when the late Princess walked through an active landmine in Huambo, Angola, in 1997 to call for an international ban.
Harry — who earlier in the day recalled how his mom lived through “compassion” — looked visibly moved as speakers mentioned Diana and her work.
Prince Harry spoke at the HALO Trust event in NYC celebrating Angola’s leadership in landmine clearance.AFP via Getty Images
The renegade royal famously followed in Diana’s footsteps by walking through a minefield at the same site in 2019 during a tour of Africa with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their son, Prince Archie, now 5.
The “Diana Tree” actually marks the spot where she was photographed in a flak jacket and face shield, just like one her son wore 22 years later.
Princess Diana caused a global stir in 1997 when she walked across a minefield in Angola to promote a ban on landmines.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Harry followed in his mother’s footsteps by walking through a minefield 22 years later in 2019 during a visit to Africa with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their son, Prince Archie.WireImage
Of his own visit to Angola, Harry remarked, “Much has changed in my life and the world since 2019 when I first visited.
“In those five years, I’ve become a father for the second time. And while you don’t need children to have a stake in the future of our planet, I do know that my mother would have been horrified that anyone’s children or grandchildren would live in a world still infested with mines.”
He reminisced of his visit, “Where she [Diana] first walked in 1997, I found a bustling, vibrant town.
Harry said much has changed since 2019, including the arrival of his daughter, Princess Lilibet.Alexi Lubomirski / Duke and Duch
Harry praised the HALO Trust for its work Monday.AFP via Getty Images
“I met hundreds of schoolchildren who had no idea that the ground they stood on was once riddled with landmines.
“It is moments like these that I am personally grateful for our collective efforts. Grateful for the resolve and determination to see this through.”
In 2019, the Angolan government pledged an $60 million to fund a five-year project with HALO to clear landmines from over 15 km² across 153 minefields in Cuando Cubango province.
Princess Diana is pictured with children injured by mines in Luanda, Angola, in 1997.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Harry added, “We’re all here because we’re a band of true believers fighting for a mine-free world.
“Yes, it’s an ambitious goal; we know the road ahead is long and challenging. But resigning to complacency and/or despair, are obstacles far more insurmountable.”
The HALO Trust noted that “countless thousands of lives have been saved by the 1997 global landmine ban” that followed Diana’s visit.
Harry also talked about the HALO Trust’s work in Ukraine, which is using drones to detect and disable mines.
Harry sat next to Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio at Monday’s event.AFP via Getty Images
“It’s also down to HALO’s awareness campaign, which has been viewed over 200 million times by over 15.2 million Ukrainians, that lives are being saved,” he said.
Harry is in NYC without his wife, who is at home in California with their children, Archie and daughter Princess Lilibet, 3.
He spoke at a panel for The Diana Award Monday morning, and on Tuesday will speak at the Clinton Foundation, in addition to meetings of Travalyst and the Lesotho charity.
