On the evening of March 14, 2024, the Science Museum in London, England, transformed into a global recognition and tribute stage as the Diana Award charity celebrated its 25th anniversary.
This distinguished event spotlighted 20 young leaders from around the world whose remarkable contributions to society have embodied the enduring spirit and compassionate values of Princess Diana.
These awardees, hailing from various countries, including the U.S., Australia, Bangladesh, the Cayman Islands, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Romania, the UAE, and the U.K., were honored for their roles in effecting positive societal change.
The ceremony was graced by Prince William, the Prince of Wales, who took the stage to express his admiration and pride in the young recipients’ transformative achievements. Echoing his mother’s virtues of courage, compassion, and dedication to service, Prince William shared insights into the resilience and determination that propelled these individuals to surmount adversity and prejudice in their quest to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The event served not only as a recognition of the awardees’ efforts but also highlighted the Diana Award’s quarter-century-long mission to inspire youth empowerment and social change, principles deeply rooted in Princess Diana’s legacy. Prince William, reflecting on the charity’s founding ethos, underscored the critical role of supporting the underprivileged, a commitment he and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, champion through their philanthropic endeavors. Over 50,000 young people have been recognized by the Diana Award to date, a testament to the charity’s impactful reach in fostering a culture of positive change.
One of the evening’s highlights featured a performance by Tom Walker, who lent his voice to the celebration with his song “Lifeline,” previously performed in collaboration with Kate Middleton in 2021.
The 2024 Legacy Award recipients, selected by an independent panel chaired by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, were based on their demonstrated leadership and impact on society. Tessy Ojo, Chief Executive of The Diana Award, lauded the awardees as embodying Princess Diana’s legacy, celebrating their courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to sparking positive change despite formidable obstacles.
The American contingent among the winners included Olivia Zhang of McLean, Virginia; Hailey Richman of New York City, New York; and Sikanda Sonny Khan of Michigan, each of whom founded non-profit organizations focused on addressing critical issues such as cancer support for children, caregiver assistance, and clean water initiatives, respectively.
In a testament to the enduring influence of Princess Diana’s legacy, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, connected with the awardees via a virtual call from California. His engagement underlines both princes’ collective admiration and support for the award recipients’ efforts to sustain their mother’s compassion and social change legacy.
As the Diana Award embarks on its next quarter-century, the ceremony underscored the transformative impact of Princess Diana’s legacy and the pivotal role of young leaders in driving global social change.
