By Molly Claire Goddard
8:22am PST, Feb 10, 2026
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In the foreword to
Steve Boyes's book, titled
Okavango and the Source of Life: Exploring Africa's Lost Headwaters,
Prince Harry explained how important Princess Diana's work fighting against explosive devices was to her. "Back in 1997, in Huambo, Angola, just a few miles from one of the sources of the Okavango, my mother walked through a live minefield being cleared by the HALO Trust, a humanitarian landmine-clearance charity," he wrote via
People. "That famous walk was a turning point in the fight against these lethal devices."
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Prince Harry emphasized how Princess Diana's passion for the cause deeply influenced him. "There are some places on Earth that are so vast, beautiful, and alive, they truly open your eyes and mind," he said. "The Okavango Delta is one of those places, an enigmatic wetland that disappears into the Kalahari Desert and is home to the world's largest remaining elephant population — a wilderness beyond comparison. This paradise has been my second home for more than 25 years, a place to escape and be enveloped by nature's sheer magnificence."
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In the years following Princess Diana's tragic death,
Prince Harry carried on her legacy by working with the HALO Trust. "Children should never have to live in fear of playing outside or walking to school. The Angolan government's continued commitment is a powerful testament to HALO's success in saving lives. We thank President
[João Manuel Gonçalve] Lourenço for his leadership and partnership," he
said during a visit to Angola with the charity.
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During a 2024 panel discussion,
Prince Harry opened up about his fondness for Africa. "Africa's in my heart, and Africa's in my soul. I first went there when I was 12, 13 years old, and after so many years, I wanted to give back to it because it had given me so much," he said, via
Daily Express. "The vast open space, the cultures, the community, the people, the wildlife, just the freedom was a huge piece of why I loved Africa so much."
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In honor of Princess Diana,
Prince Harry continues to make philanthropy a main focus of his life. "My mother instilled in me and in all of us a drive to speak up and fight for a better world," the
Spare author
said at the 2022 Diana Awards. "All of you have kept her voice alive by showing the world how each small action counts, how kindness is still valued and how our world can be better if we choose to make it so."
