Three heads are better than one
Royals come together to continue helping others, just like Diana hoped they would
IF DIANA was the People’s Princess, her sons have taken on the title of People’s Princes with aplomb.
She was determined that her boys would grow up with a deep understanding of real life and would take William and Harry on visits to hospices and charities from a very early age.
Now the princes have grown into mature, kind, compassionate young men, using their position to make a difference in the world.
William and Harry’s charity The Royal Foundation helps a range of causes close to their hearts, from wildlife to returned servicemen, mental health to young people, and they use their unique position to truly make a difference to lives.
This was no more evident than at this year’s London Marathon, sponsored by their mental health initiative Heads Together.
Ensuring huge publicity for the cause, Harry, William and Catherine joined runners for the charity at the start line to offer words of encouragement, and in Harry’s case, take on the role of “royal hugger-in-chief”.
The three royals then appeared among spectators along the route, offering high fives, hugs and handshakes to runners passing by.
Harry has been open about his struggles following his mother’s death – he admitted he’d come close to a breakdown – but has grown into a well-rounded young man.
And despite him recently saying, “Is there any one of the Royal Family who wants to be king or queen? I don’t think so”, it’s apparent that he and William have understood exactly how to make their positions count for something good – a lesson Diana was at such pains to teach them.
Beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett was among those to praise Harry for speaking publicly about his difficulties in coping with his grief, confirming the openness of such a high profile young man could have a positive effect on others.
“I think him being so candid will contribute to many young people in particular saying, ‘Hey, I don’t have to bottle this up, I can be well again, I can seek professional help to deal with the things that are causing me stress and anxiety’,” he said.
The rapturous reception Harry enjoyed on his recent visits to Australia is testament to how much the public have embraced him.
In 2015, he was met with huge crowds when he spent time in Sydney as part of his Australian military deployment.
Victoria McRae, 21, resplendent in a tiara and holding a sign saying “Marry Me Prince Harry – last chance!”, even managed to plant a smacker on the stunned prince’s lips, rather like his father received in Brisbane.
And when he returned to Sydney earlier this year to promote the Invictus Games, even the torrential rain didn’t dampen the spirits of well-wishers hoping to capture a little of the Harry magic.
One young fan, 15-year-old Caitlin Brincat, said: “I asked him for a selfie and he said, ‘Oh, go on then’. He was getting drenched in the rain but still did it. He’s a legend.”
Australian dream interpreter Joan Hanger, who advised Diana in the 1990s, agrees.
“Harry is a legacy of Diana’s ambience and energy with his effortless attraction to everyday people and their lives,” she said.
If he does marry American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle, a UN ambassador who thoroughly understands how to channel public interest into something good, they will be the power couple of Diana’s dreams.