Duke of Sussex carries on his mother’s legacy despite royal rejection
Harry is once again taking inspiration from his late mother, Princess Diana, stepping into one of her most meaningful causes just weeks after receiving disappointing news from King Charles.
Earlier this month, Harry reunited with his father for the first time in nearly two years. Reports briefly suggested that the meeting might open the door to a return to royal life, but those claims were quickly shut down by palace insiders. Despite that, the Duke of Sussex has pressed forward with his public service work.
Through his Archewell Foundation, Harry partnered with UNAIDS to shine a spotlight on the urgent fight against HIV. He appeared in a short film alongside Magic Johnson, Charlize Theron and others, urging continued support for programmes that provide lifesaving treatment and prevention.
The film, screened at the United Nations’ global gathering in September 2025, stressed that although treatments have saved millions, progress is at risk. Severe funding cuts, it warned, could reverse years of work.
“Without urgent action, we will slip backwards,” Harry said in the video. “We are already seeing drastic cuts to HIV prevention and treatment programmes.”
Theron added that if resources are not restored, UNAIDS estimates more than four million preventable deaths could occur by 2029.
In stepping up to echo Diana’s decades-long advocacy for those affected by HIV and AIDS, Harry has shown that—even in the face of rejection from the royal fold—he remains committed to carrying his mother’s mission forward.
