Prince Harry has continued the tireless work of his late mother by urging the world to eradicate landmines within the next eight years.
In a powerful speech at the Landmine Free World 2025 Reception held at Kensington Palace, the Prince remembered Princess Diana's campaign against landmine use, a project she supported up until her tragic death in 1997.
"Twenty years ago, in the last months of her life, my mother campaigned to draw attention to the horrific and indiscriminate impact of landmines," Harry said. "She visited affected areas such as Huambo in Angola and Travnik in Bosnia. She heard how people in these communities lived in constant fear that each step may be their last. She met with those who had suffered life changing injuries as a result of anti-personnel mines, she listened to their stories, and helped share them with the world."
Recalling his mother's commitment to putting others first, he said: "I know if my mother was here with us today, she wouldn't be willing to accept any credit for the fact that the Ottawa treaty was signed by 122 states in the same year as her visits to Angola and Bosnia. Rather, she would have applauded the public outrage and the resolve of those in positions of power to end the indiscriminate killing of civilians. She would have applauded that, in a moment of global conscience, the treaty put humanitarian, not military, considerations at its heart."
Harry said he was "shocked" that 60 million people still live in fear from the threat of landmines, but he praised the government for providing additional funding to tackle the issue. His speech came as as the international development secretary, Priti Patel, announced that the government was tripling the amount it spends on landmine clearance to £100 million.
During the evening, Harry introduced two men who met Diana as boys after they both lost legs to mines in Bosnia. He urged the world to honour the victims of the explosives, just like his mother did 20 years ago.
"Those two young boys, Malic and Žarko, are now grown men and are with us today," he told the audience. "20 years on, they both still struggle with their physical and emotional injuries and with the high costs of replacing their prosthetics."
"When my mother said goodbye to Žarko that August, just weeks before her untimely death, she told him he would not be forgotten. Please help me keep her word to Žarko and Malic, and other people like them throughout the world, who still need us to finish the job and rid the planet of landmines. Collectively we have the knowledge, skill, and resources to achieve it, so let's make future generations proud."
Prince Harry's speech can be read in full speech at royal.uk.
From Good Housekeeping
