Prince Harry recalls mom lived through ‘compassion’ while presenting The Diana Award at another solo event without Meghan Markle

Prince Harry speaks with Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang of Indonesia, left, and Christina Williams of Jamaica, second from the right, Monday morning. REUTERS Harry recalled his mom, Princess Diana, lived through “activism” and “compassion” while presenting The Diana Award. New York Post/Photo Archives

Prince Harry recalled how his mom, Princess Diana, lived her life through “activism” and “compassion” as he presented The Diana Award at the 2024 Concordia Summit Monday morning.

On Monday morning, the Duke of Sussex joined The Diana Award’s CEO, Dr. Tessy Ojo, as they chaired a discussion with two recipients of The Legacy Award, Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang of Indonesia and Christina Williams of Jamaica.

“You guys are leading the charge and will hopefully break down the stigma to be able to continue these conversations,” Harry told Williams and Zhang about their work in their native countries.

“I applaud you — to have the confidence at your age to be on this stage. I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys. Your activism [and] your compassion are two things that are so true to how my mum lived her life and what she believed in.”

“I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys. Your activism [and] your compassion are two things that are so true to how my mum lived her life and what she believed in,” he told the two recipients Monday. Janet Mayer / SplashNews.com Harry is in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week. REUTERS

He added, “I’ve said it years ago and I’ll say it again, the younger generation are, not putting too much pressure on you guys, you are what give me hope. The courage that you have gives me hope because every single one of us need courage in order to really move the dial and create positive change in today’s world, probably more so now than ever.”

The royal then thanked the two recipients for “giving me and probably a whole lot of people in this room hope.”

“And now we need to listen — constantly listen — and then act on the advice and the vision that you have, because otherwise it’s your future that’s being stolen from you, and that is unacceptable.”

During the chat, he also said that we should replace the word “mental health” with “mental fitness.”

He also touched on the topic of mental health during his chat Monday morning. Janet Mayer/Shutterstock Harry is heavily involved with The Diana Award, which honors young people who work to improve the lives of others. Getty Images His brother, Prince William, is also involved in the award. Getty Images

The Diana Award — named after Princess Diana, who died following a car crash in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997 — has the support of both Harry and his estranged brother, Prince William.

Both brothers attended the organization’s Legacy Award event in London in March with William being there in person and Harry tuning in virtually.

“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,” Ojo said in a statement at the time.

“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. The Concordia Summit gives us the platform to share our insights and lead positive change.”

Harry arrived in New York City without Meghan Markle. Archewell Foundation via Getty Images The two have a nonprofit organization called The Archewell Foundation. Archewell Foundation via Getty Images

Harry, who recently turned 40, is currently in New York City during the United Nations General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week. 

He is visiting to “advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic activities,” a spokesperson said, adding he would also “be furthering the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded with his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.”

However, his wife, Meghan Markle, 43, will not be joining him for the events.

Harry joined outgoing Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, actors Forest Whitaker and Will Poulter, UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russel at dinner in New York City Sunday night. Shutterstock Harry warmly greeted Mathilde at dinner Sunday night in NYC. Shutterstock Harry talks to Belgium PM De Croo and actor Whitaker on Sunday night. Shutterstock

Harry will continue his attendance of big events Monday afternoon with a meeting with The HALO Trust, which gained international prominence in 1997 after Diana walked through an active minefield in Angola, Central Africa. And, on Tuesday, he will be part of the Clinton Global Initiative and then take part in work surrounding African Parks and Travalyst.

Harry will then fly to London this weekend for his annual visit to support WellChild at its awards ceremony. Again, he will attend the ceremony without his wife, who has not returned to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.

Over the weekend, Harry arrived at the Sheraton Hotel with a fleet of cop cars and tight security ahead of a packed week of events in the Big Apple.

Harry will be flying to London over the weekend. Janet Mayer/Shutterstock William’s Global Environmental Contest will host the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit on Tuesday in New York City but he will not be present. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Following his arrival, he attended a dinner organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), greeting Queen Mathilde of Belgium warmly on arrival. 

As for his brother, Prince William’s Global Environmental Contest and Bloomberg Philanthropies will co-host the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit at the Plaza Hotel on Tuesday.

However, the Prince of Wales will not be jetting over for the event, sources confirmed to Page Six.