As we mark the anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, we remember how her compassion, courage, and commitment to humanity continues to inspire generations around the world. Nearly three decades after her passing, her legacy lives on through young people who are creating positive change in their communities and leading with empathy.
As we mark the anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, we remember how her compassion, courage, and commitment to humanity continues to inspire generations around the world. Nearly three decades after her passing, her legacy lives on through young people who are creating positive change in their communities and leading with empathy.
Princess Diana showed the world that leadership is not about status or title, but about using your voice to uplift others, challenge injustice, and make people feel seen and valued. Her unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes continues to inspire young people to take action on issues that matter most to them.
To mark Princess Diana’s death anniversary, we asked Diana Award Recipients:
“How does Princess Diana’s legacy inspire your social action today?”
Their responses reminded us that her impact continues to be felt across generations, countries, and communities, inspiring young people to lead with kindness, courage, and purpose.
Blanka Pillár, 20, Hungary
Princess Diana’s unstoppable, unwavering, dedicated commitment to her principles and her incredible moral strength serve as guiding forces in my social work. Her character, life, leadership, and actions remind me how vitally important it is to look out for others in this world, bond with them on a meaningful level, make genuine connections happen, and always look for humanity in humaneness with genuine care, courage, and love. To me, her memory embodies unshakable, faithful devotion and constantly inspires me to dare to dream a better future. It is an honour to be able to carry her spirit through my work.
Emily Wang, 18, United States of America
“I lead from the heart, not the head.” Princess Diana’s words echo as I hold A’san auntie’s hand, each deep wrinkle a reminder of the rich culture generations of Bai people have shaped. In my small Yunnan town, I watch painfully as machines replace centuries-old embroidery and tie-dye, while urbanization endangers the Bai language. From the traditional crafts I teach to supporting local villagers’ businesses, I carry Princess Diana’s legacy with me, leading with courage, passion, and kindness. With every step I take to preserve culture, I choose to lead from my heart, just as Princess Diana did.
Ubaid Ur Rehman, 25, Pakistan
Princess Diana inspired me to believe that leadership is not about position or recognition, but about compassion, courage, and creating meaningful change in people’s lives. Her ability to stand with vulnerable communities encouraged me to turn my concern for others into action. Through my social initiatives, including medical camps, health-awareness campaigns, youth development programs, and community service, I have tried to serve those who need support most. Her legacy reminds me that even one person can inspire thousands when they lead with empathy and purpose. For me, social action is not a responsibility, it is a lifelong commitment to humanity.
Reese Wong, 23, United Kingdom
What I take from Princess Diana’s legacy is the power of showing people that change is possible and that they can help create it. That idea has shaped my approach to social action. I founded ISSIA at 16 to help young people expand their sense of what they could do and give them the agency to act. Since then, my work has grown across education, community, and public service. For me, social action is about broadening people’s imagination of what is possible and giving them the opportunities and agency to shape that possibility themselves.
Egwu Kenneth Chukwuebuka, 27, Nigeria
The Diana Award has inspired me to advance my work on global health, integrating research with advocacy for the appropriate use of antimicrobials and awareness of antimicrobial resistance. The award has made it easier to lead this change, knowing that the efforts and energy we put into our actions are appreciated. But beyond personal inspiration, it has motivated other youths within my community as well. It has made them understand that their voices are being heard and that the positivity they bring to the community is appreciated.
Jaisal Shah, 16, India
Princess Diana’s legacy inspires me to believe that meaningful change begins with compassion and consistent action. I started offering free chess mentoring in the KVO community, helping hundreds of children and families develop confidence, resilience, and critical thinking based on those principles. Rather than focusing on recognition, I aimed to create opportunities for others to grow through education and mentorship. Receiving the Diana Award in 2024 reinforced my commitment to service, motivating me to continue expanding my initiatives and encouraging more young people to use their own talents to make a positive difference.
Robina Azizi, 20, Germany
There are so many reasons why I admire Princess Diana. It is not because I received an award connected to her legacy, but because of the kind and extraordinary woman she was. I never met her or lived during her lifetime, yet she remains in our hearts. We even share the same birthday, which makes every year a special reminder of her. Most importantly, Diana inspires me to continue my work as a human rights activist and to support people regardless of their skin colour, nationality, religion, or where they come from. Her legacy belongs not only to her generation, but to mine and those still to come.
Muhamad Rifath Karlian Guna, 21, Indonesia
No world is entirely perfect, yet our duty is not to complete it, but to continuously strive to enrich it. That is the essence of Princess Diana's dedication: blooming amidst the withering born of despair. And where I begin with a small step may seem insignificant, instilling basic education on the importance of reading and consuming good information for the youth. Like Princess Diana, who deeply believed in the greatest potential of the younger generation, we must ensure they are guided upon the right path.
Tariq Lawal, 20, Nigeria
Princess Diana said, ‘Let us go out today, tomorrow and the days that follow and let us demonstrate our humanity,’ after accepting a Humanitarian of the Year award in New York in December 1995. I can think of no better way to demonstrate my humanity than by addressing the pressing challenges facing society. I believe every human being deserves the opportunity to flourish, and this conviction fuels my work, from advocating for quality education in Nigeria to mobilising action around digital safety and youth wellbeing. Every effort to create a better world has brought me closer to my humanity, purpose, and the transformative power of compassion.
Jiayuan Tian, 23, China
Princess Diana inspires me through the way she used visibility not for herself, but to help others feel seen, heard, and valued. That principle has shaped how I approach social action. Through initiatives focused on youth storytelling, education, and access to opportunities, I have tried to create spaces where young people, especially those whose experiences are often overlooked, can share their voices and connect with possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings. Her example reminds me that leadership is not defined by a title, but by how we use whatever platform we have to create dignity, connection, and opportunity for others.
Aaryan Doshi, 19, United States of America
Helping another human is one of the most healing and rewarding parts of life. Help can take on various forms. For Princess Diana, it was simple: find the problem, go to the problem, and help the people affected by the problem.
For me, CirFin was about capturing the stories of people. Understanding their fight. Their mission. And sharing that with the rest of the world.
Thank you Princess Diana, for showing us that the world is bigger than oneself. That caring for a fellow human is one of the most healing and rewarding parts of life.
Diana Murzagaliyeva, 20, Kazakhstan
Princess Diana’s actions, marked by her humanity, courage, and support for those whom society usually ignores, became a powerful source of inspiration for me. She demonstrated that true social change begins with perceiving a person primarily as an individual, rather than through the lens of their limitations or life challenges.
This principle is deeply ingrained in my professional work, which encompasses inclusive education, assistive technologies, and issues related to nuclear disarmament. Working within the framework of the Inclusive Academy and SpeakUp projects, I strive to expand the horizons of opportunity for children with special needs and ensure they have the chance to make their voices heard.
The memory of Princess Diana’s legacy serves as a constant reminder: while empathy can ignite the spark of change, real progress comes only when we move from compassion to concrete action.
Earlier this summer, alumni from across The Diana Award programmes attended SXSW London, a festival bringing together global leaders, creatives, innovators and changemakers. To capture the experience through their own lens, we invited attendees to document their time at the festival on film and share their reflections. Hear directly from Jaysim, Shomy, Emma and Sawan as they reflect on the lasting impact of SXSW London.
Wrapping up Volunteers Week this year, we share some insight into what it’s like to be a Mentor on our Mentoring Programme. Hear directly from Mentors Sarah, Arjun, Funmi and Deepika.
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To celebrate International Women’s Day and this year’s theme - ‘Give To Gain’, we asked our Diana Award Recipients “What does Diana, Princess of Wales’ leadership teach young women today?”. Read our blog to find out what they thought.
