The Duke of Sussex made his first public appearance since losing his legal appeal over royal protection — spotlighting youth empowerment and paying tribute to his mother, Princess Diana.
Las Vegas, May 6 – Prince Harry stepped into the spotlight in Las Vegas on Monday to support the Diana Award — the only charity founded in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana — marking his first public event since losing a high-profile legal case over his security arrangements in the U.K.
The 40-year-old Duke of Sussex appeared at ServiceNow’s Knowledge 2025 conference to help launch the Diana Award’s new Pledge to Invest initiative, which aims to encourage global businesses to invest in youth leadership and workplace inclusivity.
During the event, Harry engaged in a thought-provoking panel discussion with two Diana Legacy Award winners, Sikander ‘Sonny’ Khan from Michigan and Christina Williams from Jamaica. The conversation centered on unlocking young potential and how corporations can create tangible paths for the next generation to thrive.
“Far too many young people are locked out of leadership pipelines because we’ve failed to build inclusive pathways,” Harry said. “This generation isn’t waiting for permission — they are already leading. They bring empathy, emotional intelligence, and an openness around mental health that sets them apart.”
He praised the two young awardees directly, saying, “I tip my hat to both of you. What you represent is fearless leadership, and that is exactly what the world needs right now.”
Founded in 1999, the Diana Award honors Princess Diana’s belief in the transformative power of youth. It remains one of the few initiatives that both Prince Harry and Prince William still support jointly, even after Harry stepped down from royal duties in 2020.
Notably, the event coincided with a personal milestone for Harry — May 6 also marked his son Prince Archie’s 6th birthday and the second anniversary of King Charles’ coronation.
The appearance comes just days after a U.K. judge dismissed Harry’s appeal to reinstate his publicly funded security while in Britain — a ruling Harry described as a serious blow to his ability to visit the country with wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
In an emotional interview with the BBC, Harry said, “I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point. They’d be missing everything. I love my country — I always have — but I can’t risk their safety.”
Despite maintaining his love for his homeland, the Duke of Sussex acknowledged the growing strain in his relationship with the monarchy, particularly with his father, King Charles. While his legal team continues to argue that the threats against him have been underestimated, Buckingham Palace has consistently stated that the case has been thoroughly reviewed by the courts.