Prince William paid tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, at the Diana Award charity’s inaugural Legacy Award ceremony, which took place at St. James Palace in London on Thursday.
Speaking to the 20 honorees and the invited guests, the 34-year-old Duke of Cambridge spoke of his mother’s great legacy.
“This summer marks 20 years since my mother died, and she achieved so much in her life,” he addressed the audience. “From helping to shatter the stigma around AIDS, to fighting to ban landmines and supporting the homeless — she touched the lives of millions.”
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“The truth is, though, that she was taken at only 36, just slightly older than I am today. And of course, we can never know what our mother would have gone on to do,” he added. “But in one sense, Harry and I feel that our mother lives on in the countless acts of compassion and bravery that she inspires in others.”
Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry, presented the Legacy Award to 20 teenagers from the U.K. and across the world. The Inaugural Legacy Award honored the legacy of their mother through her belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better.
“We are so glad our mother’s name is being put to good use through the Diana Award,” William said about the event.
The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry are presenting a new award on behalf of The @DianaAward at St. James’s Palace today. pic.twitter.com/PYvuqgzS1z
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 18, 2017
The Duke and Prince Harry present @DianaAward Inaugural Legacy Awards to 20 winners – chosen from the UK countries across the world. pic.twitter.com/CRN51cZ8EY
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 18, 2017
Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. In March, William and wife Kate Middleton traveled to Paris for the first time since his mother’s tragic death. During their visit, they met with French President François Hollande and attended a series of events, including a reception for young French leaders and a formal dinner at the residence of Her Majesty’s Ambassador.
A Lady Diana Tulip is seen at the White Garden, created to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, at Kensington Palace in north London on April 13, 2017.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
Formerly known as the Sunken Garden, the White Garden was created with thousands of white flowers and foliage to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in August 1997.
REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Blossoms are pictured at the White Garden, created to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
A Lady Diana Tulip is seen at the White Garden, created to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, at Kensington Palace.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
Blossoms are pictured at the White Garden, created to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
Blossoms are pictured at the White Garden.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
A gardener poses for a photograph at the Princess Diana memorial garden at Kensington Palace in London.
(Photo by REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth)
Tulips in blossom are seen at the White Garden, created to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
Pink Tulip Florosas are seen at the White Garden.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
Gardener Jude Evans poses for photographs as she inspects a Tulip florosa at the White Garden.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
Visitors look over the White Garden, created to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
A gardener poses for a photograph at the Princess Diana memorial garden at Kensington Palace in London.
(Photo by REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth)
A gardener at the Princess Diana memorial garden at Kensington Palace.
REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
A Tulip ‘Purissima’ is seen among Tulip Florosa at the White Garden.
(Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)
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This August marks the 20th anniversary of the Princess of Wales’ death and to commemorate her, a statue in her honor will be installed in the public gardens at Kensington Palace.
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