Prince Harry is Following Princess Diana’s Human Rights Lead

Prince Harry, a humanist reminiscent of his mother, the late Princess Diana, made it clear that he would like to make a difference as Diana had done in her lifetime.

He’s off to a good start. At the third anniversary of the charity he co-founded with Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso, who also lost his mother, Harry spoke about poverty, AIDS and their charity.

The Princes’ organisation is called Sentebale, Lesotho for “forget-me-not”, named in memory of their mothers but also for Lesotho AIDS orphans and victims of poverty.

“Lesotho is such a wonderful country and is incredibly close to my heart,” said Harry. “Beautiful as it is though, its people battle devastating problems. Unless we help Lesotho in its struggle to nurture and protect its children and bring them hope for the future, the Basotho – this wonderful people – will be decimated and their society destroyed. It is a stark thing to say, but it is the truth. This may sound a tall order especially for a charity so small, but unless we think big, unless we are ambitious, nothing will change.”

Much media has commented on the Prince’s straight talk, but such frankness is again reminiscent of his mother – Diana shocked many when she held a baby with AIDS, helping to break down fears, stigmas and misinformation about the disease.