Prince Harry shares heartfelt letter on behalf of Princess Diana on a day that's very close to her heart

Prince Harry
(Image credit: Getty)

Prince Harry has shared a heartfelt letter on behalf of his late mother Princess Diana to mark a day that is very close to her heart.

Prince Harry has continued the vital work of his late mother Princess Diana by sharing a heartfelt letter, written on her behalf to mark World AIDS Day.

The Duke of Sussex spoke out on behalf of Princess Diana to thank members of the scientific community for working "tirelessly against the disease" as he called on the world to join a movement to ensure that science for HIV and COVID-19 reaches those who need to most.

Harry, has written a letter and narrated a film in honor of World AIDS Day to bring awareness to the fight against HIV and AIDS — a cause championed by his mother Princess Diana.

Diana was at the forefront in the effort to break the stigma experienced by people affected by HIV and AIDS and her youngest son Prince Harry, 37, is keeping her memory alive by continuing her vital work to raise awareness.

The letter, written to Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director UNAIDS, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, the World Health Organization's Director-General, reads, 'We honour those whose lives have been cut short and reaffirm our commitment to a scientific community that has worked tirelessly against this disease. My mother would be deeply grateful for everything you stand for and have accomplished. We all share that gratitude, so thank you.'

In raising awareness, Prince Harry has taken part in public testing for HIV twice - he notably joined Rihanna in Barbados for the campaign in 2016 and also went along to a hospital for testing in London.

Prince Harry HIV test

Speaking at the UNAIDs conference on Wednesday, his letter continued, "It is striking to now see the world's leading AIDS activists are also leading the call for COVID-19 vaccine equity.

"Vaccinating the world is a test of our moral character and we are experiencing a spectacular failure when it comes to global vaccine equity. Similar to the AIDS crisis, we've yet again revealed over the past year, that the value of life depends on whether you were born and/or live in a rich nation, or a developing country."

Princess Diana gave a speech back in 1991 when she visited the National AIDS Trust Children and Aids event.

Princess Diana

Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 - 1997) gives a speech at the National AIDS Trust Children and Aids event in London, April 1991. (Photo by Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)

Harry narrated a film alongside Winnie Byanyima to accompany his message and in it he speaks out on COVID vaccine access, likening it to the efforts to help those with HIV and AIDS. And at the video that was played at the beginning of the UNAIDS conference on Wednesday, he said, "This is a story about how corporate greed and political failure have prolonged both pandemics and what we can do to stop it."

Prince Harry will also continue to champion causes close to his and wife Meghan Markle's heart through their Archewell Foundation.

Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)