Prince Harry will honour Princess Diana’s landmine legacy at a Halo Trust event in New York

Although Prince Harry recently celebrated his 40th birthday, I wrote recently how I still see him as a 12 year old forever traumatised by the death of his mother, Princess Diana. One thing for sure is that he is determined that her legacy lives on, and this is evident in his current trip to New York.

It is impossible to forget the poignant photographs of Princess Diana walking through an area being cleared of landmines in Huambo, Angola, a few months before she tragically died in a car accident in 1997. Prince Harry famously followed in his mother’s footsteps by walking through Angola minefield in 2019, 22 years after his mother did. 

When he walked through the Angola minefield, he was escorted by the Halo Trust, who also accompanied Princess Diana on her visit. Prince Harry said at the time that “Without question if she hadn't campaigned the way that she did, this arguably could still be a minefield.

"I'm incredibly proud of what she's been able to do, and meet these kids here who were born on this street."

When Princess Diana walked through an area being cleared of landmines, she said: "I'm not a political figure, nor do I want to be one. I come with my heart and I want to bring awareness to people in distress, whether it is in Angola or any part of the world. The fact is I am a humanitarian figure, always have been and always will be.”

The Telegraph reported that “A spokesman for the Halo Trust said that the Duke was very interested in landmine clearance in that particular area because “he understands that without it, you cannot gain access for conservation”.

“She said that the charity had always “really hugely appreciated that special connection he has to Angola”.

“She added: “He understands it is a long-term commitment, he has not forgotten the people of Angola, he stays in touch with us, he’s interested, he cares about our work and is in regular contact with us.”