Prince Harry pledged his support to end the use of landmines across the globe, an emotional issue that was also supported by his mother Princess Diana who famously walked through a field packed with the explosives
Prince Harry has been praised for his “leadership, heart” and for continuing Princess Diana’s legacy.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, arrived in New York City for an event supporting The HALO Trust earlier today. The charity, which operates in more than 30 countries and territories, works to clear landmines as well as other dangerous debris left behind during the course of wars.
It came to global attention when the late Diana famously walked through an active landmine zone in Angola in 1997, and she went on to call for an international ban of the weapons.
US Democrat Senator for Delaware Chris Coons praised the prince for continuing his mother’s legacy at the event. Following Harry’s speech for the charity, he said: “Prince Harry thank you for your leadership, for your heart, for your vision, for sustaining the legacy of your mother, and for inspiring a whole new generation around the world to be engaged in this critical work against the scourge of land mines.”
Prince Harry wants landmines gone from the battlefields by 2025 (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
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Diana’s legacy was referred to at the event where Harry appeared very emotional. He said his mother’s legacy was a serious responsibility.
“As you know, The Halo Trust work in Angola meant a great deal to my mother,” he said, according to People. “Carrying on her legacy is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously.”
He then reflected on his own visit to the African country several years ago, adding: “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.”
Prince Harry retracted Diana’s footsteps at the same site in 2019 during a tour with his wife Meghan Markle and their son Prince Archie. The same landmine field had since become a thriving community complete with “The Diana Tree” which marked to spot where she was photographed.
The Duke of Sussex used his time to highlight the Halo Trust’s mission and pledged to make the world landmine-free by 2025 during a speech at Kensington Palace in 2017.
