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On 2 July, Prince Harry attended The Diana Award National Youth Mentoring Summit, honouring his late mother, and hoping to urge businesses, organisations, and everyone who was listening, to commit to mentoring.
“I’m struck by a few things today, most of which is the power of the invisible role model. The person who may be sitting here today that doesn’t realise that someone looks up to them. For that person, you inspire them to be kinder, better, greater, more successful and more impactful,” he said.
Harry spoke about becoming a father – a mentor, himself:
“Perhaps it’s the newfound clarity I have as a father, knowing my son will always be watching what I do, mimicking my behaviour. One day, maybe, even following in my footsteps. But it's not just my role as a father that shows me that. It's in the people I see every day, that don’t realise how inspirational they are to those watching them.”
“My mother, Princess Diana, was a role model to so many, without realising the impact she would have on so many lives,” he says, but continues, “You don’t have to be a princess, or a public figure, to be a role model. In fact, its equally valuable, if you’re not, because it’s more relatable. Being a role model and mentor can help heal the wounds of your own past and create a better future for someone else.
“The impact of a mentor has the power to make society richer, happier, kinder and more aligned. On a more personal level, it’s the power to change the course of a life, to be the North Star for a person having trouble navigating their own path.”
Harry closed by saying he’s incredibly proud of the mentees who attended the summit, before mentioning Princess Diana, with a nod to her legacy, once more. “I can safely say that, my mother, who would’ve turned 58 yesterday, would feel the same.”
Scroll to the top to see his full speech.
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