Prince Harry pays tribute to his mother Diana for ‘smashing the stigma’ on HIV
Prince Harry has paid tribute to the work of his late mother Princess Diana – saying she helped “smash the stigma” during the AIDS crisis.
The fifth-in-line to the throne recently paid a visit to Mildmay – a charitable HIV hospital located in East London, that his mother had strong links with.
During the AIDS crisis Princess Diana made many visits both officially and unofficially – and famously shook hands with a patient at the height of HIV stigma.
Speaking to the Times, Prince Harry spoke about his late mother’s work on the issue.
He said: “She started very punchy [on AIDS].
“She smashed the stigma around HIV on more than one occasion. It had a huge impact, and a huge impact on my life as well.”
Prince Harry has also worked on the issue, co-founding the Sentebale charity to help children with HIV in Lesotho.
He told the newspaper: “I don’t consciously channel myself down certain avenues specifically because I think my mum would be proud. But she sure as hell would be proud of me, hopefully, that I’m doing it.”
The royal has also worked with the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
He said: “Elton was massively onside.
“He told me, ‘You underestimate the power you have to convene people on all sorts of different issues’. That’s the privilege of the position I’m in.”
Prince Harry was speaking ahead of the Invictus Games – a sporting event for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel.
