Prince Harry has voiced his commitment to completing the task his mother, Princess Diana, had set her heart on – clearing landmines in Angola. The Duke of Sussex expressed his support for the effort to continue the work of removing landmines in the country at an event in New York for The Halo Trust, a charity Diana had endorsed. This initiative holds sentimental value for Harry as Diana was famously escorted through a cleared minefield in Angola by the trust in 1997, a visit that contributed to the signing of an anti-personnel landmine ban in Ottawa after her tragic death later that year.
During his speech, Harry praised the work of The Halo Trust in Angola, emphasising the significant impact it had on his mother. He acknowledged the courage and dedication of the charity and highlighted the importance of carrying forward Diana’s legacy by completing the task she was passionate about. The Halo Trust estimates that thousands of people in Angola have suffered life-altering injuries from mines dating back to the civil war period. Harry commended the Angolan government’s commitment to demining efforts, particularly under President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco.
Furthermore, Harry’s engagements in New York extended beyond landmine clearance. He participated in discussions with recipients of the Diana Legacy Award on global mental health issues among youth. Reflecting on his mother’s legacy, he expressed pride in the awardees and the ongoing work of the charity established in her honour, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year. The Duke also met with the conservation organisation African Parks and engaged in discussions to address global challenges with prominent figures, including former US President Bill Clinton.
Looking ahead, Prince Harry is set to focus on Lesotho, where he established the Sentebale charity aiding Aids orphans, along with promoting sustainability in the tourism sector through the Travalyst organisation. The Duke’s upcoming schedule includes attendance at the WellChild annual awards in the UK next Monday, demonstrating his commitment to carrying forward his mother’s compassion and advocacy in various humanitarian and environmental causes.