Prince Harry took the stage in New York City this week, offering heartfelt reflections on what gives him hope for the future as he honored young changemakers at the Concordia Annual Summit. The Duke of Sussex, attending the event without his wife, Meghan Markle, paid tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, by supporting The Diana Award, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young leaders.
"I applaud you for having the confidence to be on this stage. I know my mother would be incredibly proud of you guys," Harry said during a panel discussion at the event. Speaking to two recipients of The Diana Award, he continued, "The younger generation gives me hope. The courage you have gives me hope. Everyone of us needs courage to move the dial in this world, probably more than ever."
The Duke's remarks focused on his belief in the younger generation's ability to effect positive change. "It is your future that will be stolen, and that is unacceptable," he emphasized, calling for action based on the advice and vision of young people.
The Diana Award, named after Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in her memory, the organization has the support of both Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William. During the panel, moderated by the organization's CEO Dr. Tessy Ojo, Harry praised the efforts of youth activists from around the world. "Your activism is true to how my mother lived her life," he said.
The Summit also highlighted mental health challenges facing young people today, a cause close to Prince Harry's heart. Harry has been a longtime advocate for mental health awareness, frequently discussing the need for resilience and agency among younger generations. The discussion underscored the power of youth activism, with Harry encouraging adults to listen and act on the younger generation's vision for the future.
Dr. Tessy Ojo expressed her gratitude for Harry's involvement, noting, "The Diana Award is delighted to be leading this conversation with young people and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, as we mark our 25th anniversary year." She added, "We know young people face many challenges today, but their compassion, determination, and agency to make positive change now and in the future is immense."
Harry's support for The Diana Award and his dedication to youth empowerment are rooted in his ongoing efforts to honor his mother's legacy. He has frequently spoken about the inspiration he draws from Princess Diana's humanitarian work. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again-the younger generation are the ones that give me hope," Harry reiterated, adding that the courage young people display is what will ultimately drive meaningful change.
The event in New York was just one of many engagements Prince Harry undertook during his visit to the city. His schedule also included work with The HALO Trust, the Clinton Global Initiative, and African Parks, as well as furthering the efforts of the Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded with Meghan Markle. While the Duchess of Sussex did not accompany him on this trip, Harry's spokesperson confirmed that the couple remains committed to their philanthropic work and anticipated future travels for their causes.
Harry's visit to New York coincided with other high-profile events, including Prince William's Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, also taking place in the city. Though William did not attend, the summit focused on environmental solutions, marking another moment where the brothers, though pursuing separate paths, demonstrated their shared commitment to global change.
Prince Harry's engagement with The Diana Award comes amid a busy year for the Duke and Duchess, who have undertaken multiple international trips for the Archewell Foundation. Earlier this year, they visited Nigeria and Colombia to meet with communities and advance their philanthropic initiatives. Speaking about the importance of these travels, Harry told People magazine, "There's only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to traveling more because the work matters."
Reflecting on the future, Prince Harry reiterated the significance of listening to the people they support through their charitable work. "Whether it's the Archewell Foundation, Invictus, or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work," he said, underscoring his commitment to creating lasting, positive change.
