Mon. May 20th, 2024
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WARRING William and Harry both supported the legacy of their beloved mum Diana last night — but still couldn’t heal their rift.

Wills spoke at the London awards event, then left before a videolink from Harry was shown.

William attended the Diana event - but left before his brother Harry's address4

William attended the Diana event – but left before his brother Harry’s addressCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Harry gave an address via videolink from California

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Harry gave an address via videolink from CaliforniaCredit: The Mega Agency

The Prince of Wales delivered a speech in London ­celebrating young people’s achievements around the globe, while his warring sibling was 5,000 miles away in California.

Wills left at 8.15pm and was long gone when Harry’s message from Montecito was beamed out at the event, marking the 25th anniversary of The Diana Award.

The brothers have barely spoken since Harry moved his family to California, with a string of insults and barbs aimed at Wills and other royals ever since.

The once-close pair did not even meet up last month when Harry flew in to see King Charles following news that he had cancer.

A source told The Sun last night: “Harry has breached the privacy of his family with his book, the Oprah Winfrey chat and the Netflix series.

“William is clearly hurt and angered by this but Harry has also upset the whole family, including the King, by spilling his guts in public.

“Flying in to see his father after his cancer diagnosis may have seemed like the pair were repairing their relationship.

“But the truth is, no one in the family can ever trust him again.”

Both brothers are understood to remain keen supporters of The Diana Award, set up in honour of their mum who died in 1997.

But William, 41, dressed in a black tuxedo, chose not to mention Harry during his deeply personal speech at the Science Museum in South Kensington, West ­London.

Instead he told how he and his wife Kate used his mother’s ­legacy as an inspiration in their work – including William’s projects aimed at ending homelessness.

He said: “She (Diana) taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life.

Prince Harry proves his ‘petulance’ by only appearing at Diana event AFTER William has gone home – there’s no coming back, royal expert says

“That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years.”

He hailed the evening’s 20 ­winners from 13 countries for overcoming “adversity and prejudice”.

William said they were all “driven by courage, compassion and commitment — qualities shared by my mother”.

He spent two hours at the event, meeting staff and supporters of The Diana Award, and hearing about the winners’ work.

Hours later, Harry, 39, was due to hold a video call with the winners.

Last night’s divide comes amid a rift between the pair, which included claims from Harry that his brother attacked him at his home.

There were also allegations of racist comments aimed at Harry and wife Meghan’s son Archie.

The brothers have barely spoken since Harry fled the UK

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The brothers have barely spoken since Harry fled the UK
The boys with their late mother Diana, Princess of Wales

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The boys with their late mother Diana, Princess of WalesCredit: Getty

Harry and his older brother briefly appeared together in the summer of 2021 to unveil a statue of Diana at Kensington Palace. In a rare joint statement they said they “wish she were still with us”.

The Diana Award was set up in 1999, in honour of the Princess’s belief that young people can change the world.

The charity then set up the Legacy Award in 2017, which is presented every two years to 20 exceptional young leaders.

Last night’s inspirational winners came from the UK, US, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, UAE, Oman, Romania, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Australia.

They included Nafira Nayeem Ahmad, 20, who set about abolishing social taboos in Bangladesh through her organisation Amplitude.

Another was Netra Venkatesh, 17, who set up SpunkGo in the UAE to use social media for good, helping 5,000 young girls.

Meanwhile, Olivia Zhang, 18, aided 10,000 children with Cancer Kids First in the US. And Sofia Scarlat, 21, has helped female ­refugees fleeing Ukraine with her initiative Girl Up Romania.

Harry has breached the privacy of his family with his book, the Oprah Winfrey chat and the Netflix series.

A source told The Sun

William told last night how his mother would have been honoured to celebrate their achievements.

He said from the stage: “Each and every one of their stories – which you will hear shortly – are testament to their character, ­passion and determination to make a lasting and meaningful difference to the lives of others.”

He went on: “Their stories remind us of the importance of organisations like The Diana Award. I’ve seen on many occasions over the years how this charity empowers and mobilises young people to take action and make the changes they want to see in their communities and the world around them.”

William added: “This evening’s Legacy Award is particularly ­special as it marks the 25th ­anniversary year of The Diana Award – a charity set up to reflect my mother’s belief that young ­people can change the world.

“I know that she would have been honoured to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe.” The Diana Award event was held virtually in 2021.

No one in the family can ever trust Harry again

A source told The Sun

In a recorded address, Harry praised his mum for “living by truth and service to others” and for believing young people had “the power to change the world”.

Opening the ceremony in 2022, Prince Harry said his mother instilled in him a drive to speak up and fight for a better world.

William sent a written message saying there was “no better way” to celebrate his mother’s life than by recognising those who gave so much time.

Last night, Diana Award chief exec Tessy Ojo said: “These young people couldn’t be a more fitting tribute and legacy to Diana and her belief that young people have the power to change the world.

“Through their courage, selflessness and sheer determination they are making change happen, often, in the face of huge adversity.

“Their compassion, determination and agency to make positive change today and in the years ahead is immense.”

The recipients were chosen by a panel of judges, chaired by Baroness Doreen Lawrence.

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