Prince Harry to appear virtually at Princess Diana award event — after William leaves

Prince Harry and Prince William are both scheduled to participate in an event honoring their late mother, Princess Diana, amid their estrangement.

However, the Prince of Wales will leave the event before the Duke of Sussex’s virtual appearance, the Times of London reported Wednesday.

Harry and William, who have been at odds since the duke quit his royal duties in 2020, are set to speak separately at the Diana Legacy Award ceremony at the Science Museum in London on Thursday night.

Harry will attend the Diana Legacy Award event virtually after his brother makes a speech in person. Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds
William is expected to present the award to all 20 recipients. WireImage

“It’s a privilege to have the support of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex — particularly as we mark our 25th anniversary year,” Dr. Tessy Ojo, chief executive of the Diana Award, told the newspaper.

Amid their boiling tensions, the prince, 41, will reportedly deliver an in-person speech and present 20 recipients with their awards before making his exit.

Only after William has left the ceremony will Harry, 39, be video-conferenced in from California to speak to the winners and make a short speech.

“It’s a privilege to have the support of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex,” said Dr. Tessy Ojo, chief executive of the Diana Award. Getty Images
William will depart from the event before Harry is called in. Getty Images

William will attend the event without his wife, Kate Middleton, as she remains in recovery from her abdominal surgery.

A spokesman for the show assured the Telegraph that Harry will be a “key part” of the memorial regardless.

“He is scheduled to speak with the award recipients, virtually, on the evening of the awards to celebrate their accomplishments,” the rep said.

The estranged brothers will be honoring their mom, who died in 1997. UK Press via Getty Images
The Duke of Sussex and Prince of Wales used to be quite close when they were young. Getty Images

Meanwhile, Kensington Palace confirmed William will “meet key staff and supporters” of the accolade before the ceremony begins.

“He will hear about the recipients’ work, make a short speech and present Legacy Awards to this year’s winners,” a palace rep told the Times.


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While the Diana Awards take place annually, the Legacy Award event is held every two years to celebrate the achievements of 20 “exceptional young leaders who are inspiring the next generation to follow in Diana, Princess of Wales’s footsteps and make a positive difference to the world.”

Harry has been on tense terms with the royal family since he and Meghan Markle resigned from their royal duties in 2020. Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
William will attend the event solo as Kate Middleton continues her recovery from surgery. Getty Images

It’s unclear if William will make any mention of Middleton’s controversial UK Mother’s Day Photoshop fail that has spurred conspiracy theories about her whereabouts as she remains out of the spotlight.

Harry and William have joined forces in the past to attend the event honoring the mother’s memory prior to their rift.

But things have drastically changed since Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, resigned from their royal duties and moved to Montecito, Calif., where they reside with their two kids: Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.

Harry and Markle have dragged the monarchy repeatedly. Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala
The duke also bashed his older brother in his “Spare” memoir. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The Sussexes have made matters worse by continuously airing the monarchy’s dirty laundry in several interviews as well as in their 2022 Netflix docuseries, “Harry & Meghan,” and Harry’s memoir, “Spare.”

Last year, the special event was held in Los Angeles and both brothers were involved, though they did not attend in-person and therefore avoided crossing paths.

Diana was tragically killed in a car crash in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997, at the age of 36. William and Harry, who previously had a close relationship, were just 15 and 12, respectively, when they lost their mom.