The Duke of Sussex attended the UK’s first National Youth Mentoring Summit on Tuesday, hosted by The Diana Award, the only charity set up in his late mother’s name, where he spoke about the power of being a role model, and his hopes that he will set a good example for his seven-week-old son, Archie.
Addressing the crowd at Banking Hall in central London Prince Harry said: “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, that – for that person – you inspire them to be kinder, better, greater, more successful, more impactful.
“Perhaps it’s the newfound clarity I have as a father,” Harry continues, “knowing that 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.
“From small acts of kindness to large measure of character, each move that we make matters especially when we don’t think anyone is watching.”
During a speech at the UK’s first National Youth Mentoring Summit on Tuesday, Prince Harry opened up about how he hopes he’ll be a good role model for Archie. (Image: Getty)
Harry also spoke about his late mother, Princess Diana, the namesake of the youth mentoring initiative, and how she too inspired people around the world.
“My mother, Princess Diana, was a role model to so many, without even realising the impact she would have on so many lives,” he said.
“You don’t have to be a princess or a public figure to be a role model, in fact it’s equally valuable if you’re not because you’re more relatable. Being a role model and mentor can help heal wounds of your own past and create a better future for someone else.
“To the mentees here today,” he concludes, “I am incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved, and I can safely say that my mother, who would have turned 58 yesterday, would feel the same.”
Recently celebrating its 20th year since its creation, the Diana Award charity has recognised 48,000 selfless young people from across the world for their social action and humanitarian work, explains an Instagram post shared to the official Sussex Royal Instagram account.
The charity has trained over 28,000 young people through Anti-Bullying Ambassador training to stand up to bullying in their schools and communities and supported more than 1000 vulnerable young people across the UK by introducing a positive role model into their lives through their Mentoring Programme.
At the weekend Prince Harry attended the historic Major League Baseball London Series game in London, bringing his wife, the Duchess of Sussex along for a surprise appearance.
Harry was there in support of the Invictus Games Foundation, a charity of which he is a founding patron.
Ahead of the game the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with the two competing teams, The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, where they were gifted adorable team jerseys for baby Archie.
Meghan was clearly delighted, gasping when she was handed a personalised Yankees jersey with Archie’s name on it and the number 19, for his year of birth.
WATCH: See Meghan Markle’s surprised reaction to receiving a personalised gift for Archie. Story continues below…
This weekend will also be an exciting one for the royal couple, who will be holding Archie’s christening ceremony on July 6th – the exact day he turns two-months old – in what is said to be a private, very intimate affair with less than 25 guests in attendance.
