Princess Diana’s legacy lives on: Prince Harry warns of HIV crisis

Prince Harry stands strong for global health and continues his mother Lady Diana’s legacy. In a new UNAIDS video, the Duke of Sussex joined Magic Johnson, Charlize Theron, and other advocates to raise alarm about looming funding cuts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Here are some of the insights from his message and ongoing work:

1. A dire warning about funding cuts

Prince Harry emphasised the danger of complacency, saying,“Without urgent action, we will slip backwards. We are already seeing drastic cuts to HIV prevention and treatment programs.”

These cuts threaten decades of progress in reducing infections and deaths.

2. The human cost: millions at risk

Charlize Theron added a chilling statistic, saying that if funding is not restored, “UNAIDS estimates that it could lead to 4.2 million preventable deaths by 2029.”

Harry echoed this concern in a statement, “Without urgent action to reverse these crippling funding cuts, 6 million more people will become infected with HIV while 4 million will die from AIDS-related causes within the next four years.”

3. Babies are being born with HIV again

Interruptions in treatment for expectant mothers are causing preventable infections. Harry explained,“Right now, babies are being born with HIV due to interruptions in antiretroviral treatment for their mothers.”

4. Building on Princess Diana’s legacy

Harry’s efforts continue the legacy of his beloved mother, Princess Diana, who famously fought stigma around HIV/AIDS.

Diana was one of the first royal to challenge the false belief that casual contact could spread the virus.

5. Sentebale’s recent turmoil

Earlier this year, Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso, stepped down as patrons of Sentebale amid internal disputes. The Charity Commission investigated governance concerns but concluded there was no evidence of “systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir.”

Still, former trustees expressed being “disheartened” and “gravely concerned for the future of the charity.”

6. Harry’s next chapter of support

Despite stepping back, Harry remains committed. His spokesperson said, “Sentebale has been a deeply personal and transformative mission for Prince Harry…With the original mission firmly in mind — and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began — The Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana.”