Prince Harry spoke out about institutional racism on what would have been his mother's 59th birthday

In addition to being Canada Day, July 1 was also the birthday of Princess Diana. Yesterday, she would have celebrated 59 years. In her absence, her son Prince Harry made a surprise virtual appearance at an online event to honour young U.K. and international activists. Harry’s speech, likely recorded in a very windy spot near his current L.A. home, thanked the award winners for their dedication to their various causes while addressing the issue of systemic and institutionalized racism that is still so prevalent throughout much of the world.The Diana Awards, named for the Duke’s late mother, recognize young leaders doing work that relates to Diana’s own history of charitable work. This year’s list of nominees featured activists working in the fields of child food poverty, mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-racism."I am so incredibly proud to be part of these awards, as they honor the legacy of my mother and bring out the very best in people like you," Harry told the nominees. "You all are doing such incredible work, and at a time of great uncertainty, you have found the power and inspiration inside of you to make a positive mark on the world.”"I know that my mother has been an inspiration to many of you, and I can assure you she would have been fighting in your corner. Like many of you, she never took the easy route or the popular one or the comfortable one. But she stood for something, and she stood up for people who needed it. Right now, we are seeing situations around the world where division, isolation, and anger are dominating, as pain and trauma come to the surface,” he said, referencing the continuing demonstrations for racial justice that began in the U.S. “But I see the greatest hope in people like you, and I'm confident about the world's future and its ability to heal, because it is in your hands."

Prince Harry recorded a video for the @DianaAward #2020DianaAwards taking place today (on what would be Princess Diana’s 59th birthday).In it, he says institutional racism is still “endemic” in our societies and has pledged that he and Meghan will be “part of the change” needed. pic.twitter.com/5tbE263b3k

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) July 1, 2020

Earlier this summer, Meghan Markle spoke to 2020 high school graduates about the death of George Floyd, the protests in the U.S., and the Black Lives Matter movement, making her the first member of the British royal family to do so in a direct way. Harry referenced his conversations with the Duchess about the topic, saying, "My wife said recently that our generation and the ones before us haven't done enough to right the wrongs of the past. I, too, am sorry — sorry that we haven't got the world to a place you deserve it to be," he said. "Institutional racism has no place in our societies, yet it is still endemic. Unconscious bias must be acknowledged without blame to create a better world for all of you."[video_embed id='1918013']Before you go: Harry and Meghan complete last public duty at Commonwealth Day service[/video_embed]