Prince Harry has paid tribute to his late mother Princess Diana ahead of the 25th anniversary of her tragic death saying “Every day, I hope to do her proud”.
The Duke of Sussex spoke at a fundraiser for the charity Sentebale he founded in memory of the Princess of Wales, telling how he wished his two children, Archie, three, and Lilibet Diana, one, could have met her. Harry, 37, who helped lead his team to victory at the Sentebale Polo Cup in Aspen, Colorado, on Thursday, said he would spend the anniversary next Wednesday remembering her legacy and that he hoped to “share the spirit of my mum with my family, with my children, who I wish could have met her”.
The match benefitted Sentebale, the organisation Harry, who now lives in California with wife Meghan, 40, and their children, founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help children in Africa affected by poverty, inequality, HIV/AIDS and recently Covid-19.
He said: “My dear friend Prince Seeiso and I founded Sentebale 16 years ago in honour of our mothers, with a mission to support many of the most vulnerable young people on the planet – and to give them care and help them thrive.
“In Sesotho, the language of the Basotho - the word Sentebale means 'forget me not'.
“Next week is the 25th anniversary of my mother’s death, and she most certainly will never be forgotten.
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“I want it to be a day filled with memories of her incredible work and love for the way she did it.
“I want it to be a day to share the spirit of my mum with my family, with my children, who I wish could have met her.
“Every day, I hope to do her proud."
Princess Diana was tragically killed in a high speed car crash in a Paris tunnel on August 31, 1997.
Her lover Dodi Fayed and the driver of the car Henri Paul, who was deputy head of security of the Paris Ritz hotel where Diana was dining with Mr Fayed, also perished.
Tributes are expected to be made around the world next week to celebrate her legacy after her passing at the age of just 36.
In a further tribute to his mum, Harry added: “She was tireless in her work to support and destigmatise those experiencing HIV/AIDS.
“Fittingly, her favourite flowers were 'forget-me-nots'.
“I hope we can remember my mother’s legacy by recommitting to those we serve, whoever and wherever that may be.
“For Sentebale, our commitment is to ending HIV and providing meaningful care and support for the children and young people whose lives have been affected by this disease.
“Because they too will never be forgotten.”
The Duke rode for Team Sentebale beside Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras, Grant Ganzi and Steve Cox at the Aspen Valley Polo Club.
Argentine Figueras, 45, shared an Instagram tribute celebrating Sentebale alongside a photo of him and Harry riding side by side.
He said: “I love playing with you and even more so if we are raising money form this great cause.
“Thank you to everyone supporting this event today at the @aspenvalleypoloclub.”
Speaking of the much needed funds raised, Harry added: “We are all proud of the support we are able to give the young people of Lesotho and Botswana to feel empowered, healthy, resilient, and able to thrive.
“The funds raised this year will be invested in these communities at a critical time, as inequalities have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
“At Sentebale we strive to break generational cycles of trauma and stigma every day.
“By educating and empowering young people to know their status and to know they can live long, healthy lives while on medication, we aim to end HIV once and for all."
