Prince Harry is set to honour his late mother Princess Diana’s legacy during a series of engagements in New York City, as Prince William’s trip currently hangs in the balance.
The Duke of Sussex will attend a charity event on Monday hosted by The HALO Trust, an organisation that gained international prominence when the late Princess of Wales walked through an active minefield in Angola in 1997.
Prince Harry, 40, will also make an appearance on behalf of the Diana Award, established to reflect the princess’s belief in young people’s power to change the world.
These events, taking place during UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week, champion causes close to Diana’s heart.
Harry’s commitment to continuing his mother’s work comes as his brother Prince William’s rumoured attendance at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit remains uncertain.
A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex stated that he will “participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst”.
Additionally, Harry will further the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organisation he co-founded with his wife, Meghan Markle.
In 2022, Harry revealed in a podcast interview with former rugby player Gareth Thomas that he felt “obligated” to carry on his mother’s legacy.
The Duke of Sussex walking through a minefield in Dirico, Angola in 2019
PA
“I think once you get to meet people and you see the suffering around the world, you can’t turn, I certainly can’t turn, my back on that,” Harry said.
Harry emphasised his commitment to Diana’s unfinished work, stating: “Then add in the fact that my mum’s work was unfinished, I feel obligated to try and continue that as much as possible.”
However, he acknowledged the challenge of filling his mother’s shoes, particularly in areas where she made a significant impact.
“I could never fill her shoes, especially in this particular space because of what she did and what she stood for and how vocal she was about this issue,” Harry added.
Princess Diana walking through minefields in Angola in 1997
PA
The duke’s involvement with The HALO Trust echoes Diana’s iconic 1997 walk through an Angolan minefield.
In 2019, Harry followed in her footsteps, visiting a minefield in Angola during a royal tour.
Prince Harry’s visit to New York has sparked speculation about a potential encounter with his brother, Prince William.
The Prince of Wales is rumoured to be attending the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit at The Plaza Hotel on September 24.
Prince William at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in 2023
PA
However, it remains uncertain whether William will attend, despite his presence at last year’s event. If both princes are in New York simultaneously, they will likely avoid each other.
A source told The Sunday Times in August that the brothers had not spoken in “two years”.
The insider described their estrangement as “dreadfully sad”, claiming that Prince William does not even want Harry at his future Coronation.
The last time the brothers reportedly spoke was at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.
