Prince Harry paid tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, on Wednesday by walking through an active minefield in Angola while wearing a flak jacket — a powerful gesture to raise awareness for the work of the HALO Trust, a charity dedicated to clearing explosives from former war zones.
Back in January 1997, Princess Diana made global headlines when she visited Angola with the same organization, walking through a minefield to highlight the dangers of unexploded ordnance and the toll it takes on civilians. Her visit occurred just seven months before her tragic death in Paris.
Continuing that legacy, the Duke of Sussex traveled to Cuito Cuanavale, a remote area in southern Angola near the world’s largest minefield, where he met with families affected by the war. This isn’t his first tribute — Harry made a similar trip in 2019 to support the cause.
“Children should never have to live in fear of playing outside or walking to school. Here in Angola, over three decades later, the remnants of war still threaten lives every day,” Prince Harry said.
Harry also expressed his appreciation to the Angolan government for its ongoing efforts to make the country landmine-free.
“The Angolan government’s continued commitment is a powerful testament to HALO’s success in saving lives and reducing humanitarian risk. We thank President Lourenço for his leadership and partnership, as well as continued donor support as we work together towards completing the mission of a landmine-free country,” he added.
Princess Diana’s Lasting Impact
Princess Diana’s involvement in the anti-landmine campaign helped bring critical international focus to the issue. Her widely circulated photos walking through a minefield played a major role in pushing forward the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which was adopted later that year.
Angola, once devastated by a 27-year civil war (1975–2002), still bears the scars of that conflict. According to the HALO Trust, since 2008, at least 60,000 people have been killed or injured by landmines.
The organization has made significant progress, clearing over 120,000 landmines and more than 100,000 other explosive remnants since it began operations in Angola in 1994. However, approximately 1,000 minefields still remain and pose a threat to communities.
Prince Harry’s continued involvement sends a strong message about the need for global support in eliminating landmines and protecting civilians — a cause deeply rooted in the legacy of Princess Diana.