Prince Harry just revealed some heartbreaking truths about losing his mother, Princess Diana

Prince Harry was in southern Africa earlier this week to officially open the Sentebale Mamohato Children’s Centre, and while he was there, he had some moving things to say about his mom, the late Princess Diana.

The new $3 million children’s center will provide emotional support and education for children in Lesotho who have been affected by HIV/AIDS, as a well as a home for children who have been orphaned by the virus. At the opening ceremony, Prince Harry talked about the devastating affect his mom’s sudden death had on him as a 12-year-old and how that loss helped him identify with the kids in Lesotho.

“Eleven years ago I made my first visit to Lesotho. I was also struck by the many children I met whose lives had been shattered by the loss of a parent and in some cases, both,” he said, according to ABC News. “Although our situations couldn’t have been more different, I felt an overwhelming connection to many of the children I met. Nonetheless we shared a similar feeling of loss, having a loved one, in my case a parent, snatched away so suddenly. I, like them, knew there would always be a gaping hole that could never be filled.”

The charity’s name, Sentebale, means “forget me not” in Sesotho, the native language of Lesotho. Prince Harry founded the organization with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho as a way to honor both of their mothers. Prince Seeiso’s mom passed away in 2003.  

We can’t think of a better way for Prince Harry to remember his mother than to continue the work she was best known for. Diana was a pioneer in helping victims of the AIDS epidemic. From visiting AIDS patients in private to organizing global charity events to combat HIV, many credit her with helping to strip away the stigma surrounding the virus. We know she would be so proud of Prince Harry and way he chooses to honor her legacy.

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