Prince Harry attended an award ceremony in memory of his mother Princess Diana only by videolink – hours after his brother Prince William attended the event in person.
William attended the event for the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London, while his brother made an appearance virtually from Montecito.
The Diana Awards had been touted as a rare joint appearance by estranged brothers William and Harry, albeit 5,000 miles apart from each other and at different times of the evening.
William arrived in the early evening and handed prizes to a group of winners, and then left at around 8.15pm.
Harry then gave a talk to the 20 winners of the awards from his US home, telling them: ‘Thank you, very much, for inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mother’s legacy, I really appreciate that. ‘
![William attended the event for the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London, while his brother made an appearance virtually from Montecito](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/05/82497809-13199817-image-a-20_1710481231010.jpg)
William attended the event for the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London, while his brother made an appearance virtually from Montecito
![The Diana Awards had been touted as a rare joint appearance by estranged brothers William and Harry, albeit 5,000 miles apart from each other and at different times of the evening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/05/82497811-13199817-image-a-21_1710481233931.jpg)
The Diana Awards had been touted as a rare joint appearance by estranged brothers William and Harry, albeit 5,000 miles apart from each other and at different times of the evening
![Prince William, Prince of Wales attends the The Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/05/82480921-13199817-Prince_William_Prince_of_Wales_attends_the_The_Diana_Legacy_Awar-a-22_1710481249833.jpg)
Prince William, Prince of Wales attends the The Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum
![Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to Tom Walker, Ken Spellman and Dr Tessy Oho CBE as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards last night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/19/82480919-13198415-image-a-40_1710444105417.jpg)
Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to Tom Walker, Ken Spellman and Dr Tessy Oho CBE as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards last night
![Prince William appeared at the Diana Legacy Award event at the Science Museum in London today, as he is pictured meeting key staff and supporters of the Diana Award](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/19/82480537-13198415-image-a-30_1710443429707.jpg)
Prince William appeared at the Diana Legacy Award event at the Science Museum in London today, as he is pictured meeting key staff and supporters of the Diana Award
![A royal expert has claimed that Princess Diana (pictured in 1983) would have insisted the brothers set their feud aside to present the award in her name](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/18/82480101-13198415-image-a-7_1710442557927.jpg)
A royal expert has claimed that Princess Diana (pictured in 1983) would have insisted the brothers set their feud aside to present the award in her name
In his speech at the Science Museum in London Prince William paid a moving tribute to Princess Diana as he handed out awards in her memory.
However just minutes before he spoke, Meghan Markle launched her new lifestyle brand – and a royal expert told MailOnline: ‘The Sussexes in my opinion do nothing by accident.’
It follows claims by a royal expert that Princess Diana would have insisted the brothers set their feud aside to present the award in her name.
The legacy award was introduced by The Diana Award in 2017 to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, on the 20th anniversary of her death.
Harry and Meghan also raised eyebrows by revealing the winner of their $100,000 NAACP – Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award while the Prince of Wales was still at the event.
In a busy day for Harry and Meghan the pair released a video to congratulate Dr. Joy Buolamwini in the immediate aftermath of William’s speech.
And it follows a trying week for the Royals – after Princess Kate was forced to admit to editing a photo of her and her children that she released on Mother’s Day after the world’s top picture and news agencies – including PA – ‘killed’ the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.
![Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to Tom Walker, Ken Spellman and Dr Tessy Oho CBE](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/19/82481195-13198415-image-a-44_1710444541616.jpg)
Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to Tom Walker, Ken Spellman and Dr Tessy Oho CBE
![Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Baroness Doreen Lawrence as he attends last night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/19/82481199-13198415-image-a-45_1710444545458.jpg)
Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Baroness Doreen Lawrence as he attends last night
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam told MailOnline: ‘The Sussexes in my opinion do nothing by accident and timing is often absolutely pivotal.
‘We found that out one way over the weekend and we’ve now just been reminded that there may be more shots in their locker than some of us thought. And it’s no accident.
‘For years they’ve been unpredictable but they have been predictable in one sense, and that is the unerring timing when they believe it’s beneficial to get information out. They don’t do anything by accident.’
Prince William earlier gave a speech in person to mark the charity’s 25th anniversary and present awards to 20 recipients.
Prince William told the winners last night that they are ‘driven by courage, compassion and commitment – qualities shared by my mother’.
‘She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back, that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life.’
He told the audience that he and his wife, the Princess of Wales, have sought to focus on Diana’s legacy through their work.
‘This evening’s Legacy Award is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary year of The Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect my mother’s belief that young people can change the world,’ he said.
‘I know that she would have been honoured to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe.
‘She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life,’ he said.
‘That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years.’
His wife Kate Middleton was not in attendance last night as she continues to recover from surgery in January.
![Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Diana Awards in 2017](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/01/82444407-0-Prince_William_Duke_of_Cambridge_and_Prince_Harry_attend_the_Dia-a-2_1710467281354.jpg)
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Diana Awards in 2017
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/01/82480547-0-image-a-1_1710467276015.jpg)
![The Prince met key staff and supporters of the Diana Award, before joining the ceremony where he heard about the recipients' work. Pictured with Dr Tessy Oho CBE](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/19/82481287-13198415-image-a-52_1710444844326.jpg)
The Prince met key staff and supporters of the Diana Award, before joining the ceremony where he heard about the recipients’ work. Pictured with Dr Tessy Oho CBE
![The Prince of Wales appeared at the awards event alone as his wife Kate is still recovering](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/19/82481289-13198415-image-a-51_1710444842936.jpg)
The Prince of Wales appeared at the awards event alone as his wife Kate is still recovering
He added: ‘I am so proud to see this belief of my mother’s manifested in the amazing young people receiving the Legacy Award tonight.’
During the ceremony hosted by Cel Spellman, an actor and presenter, and Diana Chao, a former award winner, William presented awards to each of the 20 award recipients who had flown in from around the world.
Each winner had been asked beforehand to choose their own song for the moment at which they walked onto the stage.
Prince William picked AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, saying at the end of the night: ‘That’s George’s song’.
Speaking to the winners afterwards before posing for a group picture, William said: ‘I’m amazed, honestly. The topic you all do. I’m trying to keep up with everything you all do – inventors, everything. It’s incredible. Well done, honestly. I’m so blown away by everything you’re doing. It’s a lot of commitment to get where you are.’
He urged them to ‘keep going’.
Tom Walker performed halfway through the awards ceremony, saying: ‘It’s rare to be in a room full of so many inspiring people. We don’t feel worthy.’
Walker said the song he performed, Lifeline, was written after a friend died, adding: ‘A friend of mine took a wrong turn and we lost them.
![Prince William applauds during the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82484191-13198415-image-a-13_1710449681536.jpg)
Prince William applauds during the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London
![Prince William told the winners that they are 'driven by courage, compassion and commitment ¿ qualities shared by my mother'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/19/82481205-13198415-image-a-46_1710444552725.jpg)
Prince William told the winners that they are ‘driven by courage, compassion and commitment – qualities shared by my mother’
![Prince William poses with award winners during the Diana Legacy Awards last night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/21/82484495-13198415-image-a-18_1710450043546.jpg)
Prince William poses with award winners during the Diana Legacy Awards last night
‘I think it’s important to speak about the stigma of mental health and I try and do a little bit in my song.’
After the ceremony, award winner Oluwadamilola Akintewe, 24, who was described as ‘exemplifying the spirit of the late Princess Diana’ through her work on gender-based violence in Nigeria, said: ‘The Prince asked me if I received enough support in my country and I said compared to the past it’s getting better.’
Harry, who lives in California, was expected to join a video call with the winners, according to reports. His involvement was expected to take place after his brother left the ceremony amid their ongoing post-Megxit feud.
For most of their lives, the royal brothers have been close, united by the shared trauma of losing their mother who died aged 36 in a 1997 Paris car crash when William was 15 and Harry was 12.
But since Harry’s 2018 wedding to his wife Meghan Markle, relations between them have soured.
An explosive interview that the couple gave chat show host Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 marked a new low, while anecdotes about their relationship in Harry’s bombshell memoir, Spare, which was released last year, also saw them grow further apart.
![Prince William presents an award to Christina Williams from Jamaica at the event, who founded the Changemaking Education in the Caribbean charity](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/04/82483295-13199817-Prince_William_presents_an_award_to_Christina_Williams_from_Jama-m-2_1710478734335.jpg)
Prince William presents an award to Christina Williams from Jamaica at the event, who founded the Changemaking Education in the Caribbean charity
![The Prince of Wales meets Oluwadamilola Akintewe at the Science Museum](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/04/82491493-13199817-The_Prince_of_Wales_meets_Oluwadamilola_Akintewe_at_the_Science_-m-3_1710478745592.jpg)
The Prince of Wales meets Oluwadamilola Akintewe at the Science Museum
![Prince William presents an award to Joel Nkeonye Mordi, 26, from Nigeria, during the Diana Awards. Joel founded the Mordi Ibe Foundation, Nigeria's only charity catering for LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable students to keep them in school](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82483299-13198415-image-a-4_1710448158153.jpg)
Prince William presents an award to Joel Nkeonye Mordi, 26, from Nigeria, during the Diana Awards. Joel founded the Mordi Ibe Foundation, Nigeria’s only charity catering for LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable students to keep them in school
![Maddison O'Gradey from Australia, receives the award from Prince William. The 26-year-old founded the Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Advocacy Fellowship](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82483289-13198415-image-a-3_1710448153124.jpg)
Maddison O’Gradey from Australia, receives the award from Prince William. The 26-year-old founded the Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Advocacy Fellowship
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82483659-13198415-image-a-10_1710448760008.jpg)
Prince William presents an award to Dejea Lyons, 21, from the Cayman Islands. Her youth-led environmental organisation Protect Our Future boasts over 60 members
![Prince William presents an award to Gabrielle Wong, 18, from England, founder of the Discimus Foundation, at the event last night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82483301-13198415-image-a-5_1710448161789.jpg)
Prince William presents an award to Gabrielle Wong, 18, from England, founder of the Discimus Foundation, at the event last night
![The Prince of Wales meets Gobhanu Sasankar Korisepati, 19, from Oman, who founded Sustaining Women in Financial Turmoil, dedicated to providing financial support to women](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82483369-13198415-image-a-6_1710448310320.jpg)
The Prince of Wales meets Gobhanu Sasankar Korisepati, 19, from Oman, who founded Sustaining Women in Financial Turmoil, dedicated to providing financial support to women
![Prince William poses with Uday Bhatia, 18, from India, of Uday Electric](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82484337-13198415-image-a-15_1710449755374.jpg)
Prince William poses with Uday Bhatia, 18, from India, of Uday Electric
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82483665-13198415-image-a-11_1710448773493.jpg)
Prince William presents an award to Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, 18, from Indonesia. At age 11, Chiara founded Cases 4 Care Indonesia, after learning about the human rights violations
![Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Alizey Khan, 26, from Pakistan of the RUHIL Foundation as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum last night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82483401-13198415-image-a-9_1710448369436.jpg)
Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Alizey Khan, 26, from Pakistan of the RUHIL Foundation as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum last night
![William poses with Yusuf Ben-Tarifite, 23, from England. He founded The Aspiring Medics (TAM) to help students from diverse backgrounds pursue careers in medicine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82484335-13198415-image-a-14_1710449751419.jpg)
William poses with Yusuf Ben-Tarifite, 23, from England. He founded The Aspiring Medics (TAM) to help students from diverse backgrounds pursue careers in medicine
![Prince William poses with Sofia Scarlat from Romania during the Diana Legacy Awards](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82484185-13198415-image-a-12_1710449645736.jpg)
Prince William poses with Sofia Scarlat from Romania during the Diana Legacy Awards
![Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Netra Venkatesh as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/22/82487537-13198415-image-a-22_1710453916750.jpg)
Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Netra Venkatesh as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards
![The Prince of Wales with Nafira Nayeem Ahmad from Bangladesh, aged 20](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/22/82487591-13198415-image-a-23_1710453954668.jpg)
The Prince of Wales with Nafira Nayeem Ahmad from Bangladesh, aged 20
The feud between the estranged brothers has cast a shadow over the whole family, which saw Harry and Meghan leave the UK.
There was hope for a reunion when Harry flew back to Britain after the news of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis was announced.
But the King only saw Harry for half an hour – and William made no plans to see his brother.
As well as receiving The Legacy Award, recipients received bespoke personal and professional development support to enhance their social action work with the long-term aim of inspiring and mobilising other young people to engage in social action.
Dr Tessy Ojo CBE, Chief Executive, The Diana Award said: ‘As we mark the start of our 25th Anniversary year these young people couldn’t be a more fitting tribute and legacy to Diana, the late Princess of Wales and her belief that young people have the power to change the world.
‘Through their courage, selflessness and sheer determination they are making change happen, often, in the face of huge adversity. Their compassion, determination and agency to make positive change today and in the years ahead is immense.’
The 20 Legacy Award recipients have been chosen by a prestigious independent judging panel, chaired by Baroness Doreen Lawrence.
‘These young people represent the next generation of change-makers and innovators across the globe and it is their stories from which we should listen and learn.
‘This is why Gilead Sciences is supporting The Diana Award, which recognises young people who are already making strides for social and humanitarian change. We are immensely proud to continue our support for this programme that mentors these young winners and encourages them to make a lasting impact on the world.’
![Prince William presents an award to Hailey Richman, 16, who founded KidCaregivers, a non-profit dedicated to supporting young carers dealing with loved ones with Alzheimer's](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82483371-13198415-image-a-7_1710448313896.jpg)
Prince William presents an award to Hailey Richman, 16, who founded KidCaregivers, a non-profit dedicated to supporting young carers dealing with loved ones with Alzheimer’s
![William with Shamim Ahmed Mridh, 26, a from Bangladesh, founder of Eco-Network Global](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82484333-13198415-image-a-17_1710449764293.jpg)
William with Shamim Ahmed Mridh, 26, a from Bangladesh, founder of Eco-Network Global
![Prince William poses with Sikander Sonny Kahn. At university, Sonny founded the Paani Project; an organisation that tackles Pakistan's lack of secure access to clean water](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/20/82484331-13198415-image-a-16_1710449762490.jpg)
Prince William poses with Sikander Sonny Kahn. At university, Sonny founded the Paani Project; an organisation that tackles Pakistan’s lack of secure access to clean water
![The Prince of Wales with Olivia Zhang from USA as he attends the Diana Legacy Awards](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/21/82486175-13198415-image-a-21_1710452149250.jpg)
The Prince of Wales with Olivia Zhang from USA as he attends the Diana Legacy Awards
![The feud between the estranged brothers has cast a shadow over the whole family](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/18/82479295-13198415-image-a-3_1710441090646.jpg)
The feud between the estranged brothers has cast a shadow over the whole family
![Princess Diana exhibition Princess Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince William and Prince Harry on holiday in Majorca, Spain on August 10, 1987](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/18/82479265-13198415-image-a-2_1710441076718.jpg)
Princess Diana exhibition Princess Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince William and Prince Harry on holiday in Majorca, Spain on August 10, 1987
![The Diana Award is an accolade given to a young person aged 9-25 for their social action work](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/18/82479283-13198415-image-a-1_1710441071263.jpg)
The Diana Award is an accolade given to a young person aged 9-25 for their social action work
Ingrid Seward, the royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine says that the pair’s mother – who the evening is in tribute to – would have forced the warring brothers to reunite to celebrate the prize’s winners.
‘And if she failed, I think she would have insisted that they came together however briefly by speaking over the video link in order to celebrate the winners of the prize organised in her name,’ she told the Mirror.
It comes as Meghan Markle launched launched a luxury lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard with a glitzy Instagram video yesterday.
The Diana Award is an accolade given to a young person aged 9-25 for their social action work.
The charity was set up to reflect the Princess of Wales’ belief that young people have the power to change the world.
The brothers’ reluctance to acknowledge each other’s presence at the event lays bare the depth of their feud as before their falling out they often appeared together in person to pose with the award winners.
While a spokesman for the award told The Telegraph that Harry will be a ‘key part’ of the celebration.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘The Prince [of Wales] will meet key staff and supporters of the Diana Award, before joining the ceremony where he will hear about the recipients’ work, make a short speech and present Legacy Awards to this year’s winners.’
Legacy Award recipient Alizey Khan, 26, established the RUHIL Foundation, with the goal of ensuring nobody would go hungry in her city.
To combat food poverty, they delivered 5,500 monthly food parcels and 10,000 meals.
Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, aged just 18, founded Cases 4 Care Indonesia when she was 11.
Christina Williams, from Jamaica, she fundraised millions of Jamaican dollars in supplies to support homeless students and those unable to leave their campuses due to closed borders.
Recipient Dejea Lyons, 21, has presented at COP26, became a young editor of magazine OH-WAKE, and attended COP28 representing the Caribbean and the Cayman Islands raising awareness about climate injustice in her region.