In 1997, Princess Diana said, “If an international ban on mines can be secured it means, looking far ahead, that the world may be a safer place for this generation’s grandchildren.”
The Duke of Sussex today visited a de-mining site in Dirico, Angola, to raise awareness of the danger and prevalence of landmines that still exists. The Duke joined @thehalotrust in their work to help clear the area to enable safe access for the local community. He retraced his mother’s steps to see the legacy of her work and how her connection with this community helped make the elimination of landmines a reality.
In 1997 Diana Princess of Wales visited Huambo to bring global attention to the crisis of landmines and the people whose lives were being destroyed. Two decades later, the area has transformed from desolate and unhabitable to lively and vibrant, with colleges, schools and small businesses.
The Duke is humbled to be visiting a place and a community that was so special to his mother and to recognise her tireless mission as an advocate for all those she felt needed her voice the most, even if the issue was not universally popular.
This isn’t the first time the Prince has traced his mother’s footsteps. Prince Harry visited Mozambique with The HALO Trust in 2010.
Princess Diana’s visit helped change the course of history and directly led to the Convention against Anti-Personal Landmines, also known as the Ottawa Treaty. Today, with the support of @thehalotrust, Angola now has a stated aim under the Treaty to be clear of known mines by 2025. Despite great progress, 60 million people worldwide still live in fear of landmines every day.