Princes William and Harry's Shared Cause: Both Send Letters to 2026 Diana Award Recipients

Prince William and Prince Harry still have at least one cause in common: The Diana Award, the charity set up in memory of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, both brothers sent congratulatory letters to this year’s award recipients, according to the charity. Page Six, citing People, reported that the two princes wrote separate messages.

What the Diana Award is

The Diana Award says it is the only charity bearing Diana’s name, and it has the support of both of her sons. It honors young people aged 16 to 25 for social action or humanitarian work. Recipients are chosen through nominations only, made by adults who have seen their work firsthand.

This year, the charity honored 198 young people from 44 countries at a virtual ceremony streamed at 4 p.m. GMT (11 a.m. ET) on Nov. 4. Nine countries appear on the roll of honor for the first time, including Ukraine and Mongolia.

2026 Diana Award by the numbers

According to the charity:

• 198 recipients from 44 countries
• 23 from the United States
• 49 from India, the largest group, followed by Nigeria with 25
• 33 independent judging panels reviewed nominations
• Projects were grouped under four UN goals: Quality Education (65), Good Health & Wellbeing (51), Reduced Inequalities (51) and Climate Action (31)

“These young people are proof that, whatever their background or circumstances, the desire to make a difference is universal,” said Dr. Tessy Ojo, the charity’s chief executive. “They are building on Diana, Princess of Wales’ legacy almost thirty years on.”

A shared cause, but not a reunion

The letters mark a rare shared tribute from the brothers, Page Six reported. It doesn’t appear to signal a thaw in their strained relationship. William, the Prince of Wales, is 44, and Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is 42.

The brothers last appeared together publicly for their mother in July 2021, when they unveiled a statue of Diana at Kensington Palace on what would have been her 60th birthday. Page Six noted that they have looked noticeably distant at family events since then. Tensions grew after Harry and his wife, Meghan, stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to Southern California.

Harry has said publicly that he wants to repair the relationship. “I want it to work out. Of course I do,” he told GQ in an October interview, according to Page Six. He also acknowledged that “some people don’t want it to work out.”

Diana died in a car crash in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997.

FAQ