December 9, 2021

LEGACY AWARD CEREMONY

Lord Spencer hosts Legacy Award Ceremony in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales at Althorp

A glittering award ceremony will be hosted by Lord Spencer at Althorp House where the twenty outstanding young people from across the world will receive The Legacy Award in memory of Diana Princess of Wales.


  • The ceremony comes after both The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex met with The Diana Award ‘Legacy Award’ recipients in memory of their mother on 1 December 2021.
  • Taking place every two years, The Legacy Award is the most prestigious accolade a young person can receive for their social action or humanitarian work. The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex presented the first legacy awards at St. James’ Palace in 2017.
  • The award ceremony will be hosted by DJ and TV presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams with performances from Tom Grennan and Carrie Hope Fletcher


All the Legacy Award recipients – who come from across the UK, Taiwan, Colombia, Germany, India, Indonesia and the USA – have had a monumental impact on society. Many of them only know Princess Diana as a historical figure but they carry the honour of the award with pride and admiration for whose memory it was set up in. This year marks what would have been the 60th birthday of Diana, Princess of Wales.

“I’ve always been delighted that my sister’s name has been the catalyst behind the brilliant Diana Award,, and to have the Legacy Award Ceremony at our family home seems not only very fitting, but also rather wonderful. I chaired the selection of the winners, so am aware how truly admirable their achievements are. This will be a celebration of these exceptional young people, but also, of course, of Diana herself.”

Lord Spencer

In addition to meeting The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex and being presented the award by Princess Diana’s brother Lord Spencer, the Legacy Award recipients have already begun their two-year Development Programme which aims to give them the opportunity to enhance their personal and professional skills. This not only enables them to grow the positive impact they are making in their communities but to inspire future generations of changemakers.

“The pandemic continues to disrupt lives and exacerbate social inequalities. But out of the darkness of Covid, young people are standing up to shape change in their communities across the world. Their compassion, determination and agency to make positive change today and in the years ahead is immense. They couldn’t be a more fitting tribute and lasting legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales and her belief that young people have the power to change the world.”

Tessy Ojo CBE, Chief Executive, The Diana Award

The 20 Legacy Award recipients have been chosen by a prestigious independent judging panel, chaired by Lord Spencer, who had the difficult task of selecting just 20 from a pool of exceptional individuals, already recognised for their impact on society with The Diana Award in 2020 or 2021.

Companies who have helped to support the Legacy Award and development programme include title sponsor Gilead Sciences who have supported The Legacy Award since its inception.

“These young people represent the next generation of change-makers and innovators across the globe and it is their stories we should listen and learn from. This is why Gilead Sciences is supporting The Diana Award which seeks to recognise those young people who are already making strides for social and humanitarian change. We are immensely proud to be continuing to support this programme by mentoring these young winners and see them flourish.”

Alex Kalomparis, SVP, Public Affairs, Gilead Sciences

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