The Duke of Sussex said today that he was inspired to be the best role model he could after the birth of his son, Archie.
Speaking at a National Youth Mentoring Summit organised by the Diana Awards charity, Harry, 34, revealed he was acutely conscious that his two-month-old child, who will be christened on Saturday, would ‘always be watching what I do’.
Harry also said his late mother, after whom the Diana Awards are named, had been a role model without even realising it.
‘My mother, Princess Diana, was a role model to so many, without realising the impact she would have on so many lives,’ he said, ‘You don’t have to be a princess or a public figure to be a role model, in fact it’s equally valuable if you’re not because it’s more relatable,’ he said.
‘Being a role model and mentor can help heal the wounds of your own past and create a better future for someone else. ‘
Harry, 34, attended the National Youth Mentoring Summit for The Diana Award charity this afternoon in London and spoke about his new son Archie in a heartwarming speech
Going on to talk more about his son the Duke said: ‘I’m struck by a few things today, most of which is the power of the invisible role model. The person who may be sitting here today that doesn’t realise that someone looks up to them, that – for that person – you inspire them to be kinder, better, greater, more successful, more impactful.
‘Perhaps it’s the newfound clarity I have as a father knowing that my son will always be watching what I do, mimicking my behaviour, one day maybe even following in my footsteps.
‘But it’s not just my role as a father that shows me that; it’s in the people I see every day that don’t realise how inspirational they are to those watching.
‘From small acts of kindness, to large measures of character – each move that we make matters, especially when we don’t think anyone is watching. That is when our true character comes to light.
Talking about his new role as a father to Archie he said he knows his son will always be watching what he does and ‘mimicking my behaviour, one day maybe even following in my footsteps’
The mentoring summit was held earlier today in the City of London and saw Prince Harry meet with several young mentees
‘To that I say be visible. Own it. Take seriously the responsibility we have to lead by example, and do that, by the values you reflect and the way you move in the world.
‘It doesn’t require much – it’s about who you are as opposed to what you do. ‘
The mentoring summit, held today in the City of London, linked businesses with vulnerable young people in need of mentors, both in terms of their careers but also, just as importantly, their personal development.
Harry said: ‘As proven by today’s inspirational youth, and many of the stories we’ve heard this afternoon, the impact of a mentor has the power to make society richer, happier, kinder and more aligned.
‘On a more personal level, it’s the power to change the course of a life, to be the North Star for a young person having trouble navigating their own path.’
He said a mentor could be anyone from a school teacher – ‘but we know how overworked they are’ – but also more ‘relatable’ figures .
Duke met with young people, who shared their experiences of being mentees and also met with representatives from organisations who have seen the business benefits of becoming mentors
He urged all those who could to ‘step up to the task and help someone shine their light even brighter’
He added: ‘To the mentees here today, I am incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved, and I can safely say that my mother, who would have turned 58 yesterday, would feel the same. ‘
Earlier, the Duke met some of the charity’s most high profile mentors including designer Kelly Hoppen who told him: ’ I’m vey pro-mentoring, I do a lot myself.
The royal agreed, telling Jeremiah Emmanuel, a youth activist and entrepreneur: ‘Often the best mentors are people who have experienced things themselves and go on to try and ensure others don’t experience what happened to them.’
In an inspired speech, Harry touched on the notion of leading by example and the need to be open about our emotions
He added: ‘If we bottle things up then it comes out in all sorts of way. It is important to process it.’
He chatted at length to twins Deborah and Dorcas Kabongo, 18, former Diana Award mentees from Newham, London, who have won an award for their work on gang culture, particularly the role of young women and girls involved in gang-related violence.
Deborah told him: ‘Gangs and knife crime is normally about boys but there is usually a back story to it. Seeing what was going on first hand gave us the urge to talk about. ‘
Harry met with several of the Diana Award Youth Mentoring volunteers present at today’s Summit
After admiring their hair, the prince spoke to them passionately about the issue, saying: ‘I can imagine when you started there was a lot of resistance. And now, hopefully….?’
‘Just telling them to put the knives to one side doesn’t do any good. ‘
He also met with three impressive mentees who had been recommended by their schools to attend Diana Award schemes to address issues from confidence to careers.
Harry discussed the issue of knife crime with them, expressing his frustration at the lack of youth services available and the fact that many were being closed down due to reduced funding or the fear of crime itself.
Prince Harry met with mentors today and talked about how being a father has given him a new perspective on life and how he wants to be a role model
‘Without a conversation, things won’t change, ‘ he said. ‘(But) people need a safe space to talk to each other. ‘
Polish-born Julia Antonczuk, 14, a pupil at St George’s Catholic School in Maida Vale, London, who has just completed a Diana Award Mentoring Programme to help with her self-confidence, said afterwards: ‘The duke said that ten years ago they were closing down youth clubs because of funding and people were scared of the gang associations but now they are rebuilding them because they see the role and the value they have.’
‘He said there should be more youth clubs but the lack of funding was stopping them from being opened. ‘
Harry looked relaxed and chatted with several of the attendees, either one-on-one or by group (pictured)
During the summit, young father Harry cracked a few joke with the two teens sat next to him (pictured)
The interaction momentarily
Harry was also given a bracelet made from ethically-mined lapis from Afghanistan by Diana Hosford from Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors – which links the widows of American and Afghan servicemen.
He appeared deeply touched when she explained the meaning behind it. ‘Aw thank you so, so much,’ he said.
Another of the young people that Harry met was Ryan Hicks, 14, a former Diana Award mentee who is now sharing his experiences and features in a new video made by the charity.
As a result of his social action group, project on knife crime he is now running Saturday morning drop in sessions at his school for all young people in his community with the aim of getting young people at risk off the streets and into a safe space.
Harry made a point of introducing himself and shaking hands with several of the young attendees
Through its summit, The Diana Award aims to promote the benefits of making high quality mentoring programmes accessible to all and break the stereotypical view of who a mentor can be. Pictured – Harry shaking hands with guests at the summit
‘Prince Harry told me that I was doing brilliantly and I was going to go places,’ he said.
Ryan was chosen as one of eight Diana Award nominees invited to stand in the grounds of Windsor Castle for Harry and Meghan’s wedding last year.
Speaking after the event the Diana Award chief executive, Tess OJo, said of the prince’s visit and speech: ‘The duke has always been hugely supportive of our mentoring programme but I think that the birth of his own son has bought a new clarity to his thinking. He can truly see what it means to have a positive mentor in your life.
Harry seemed in his element as he chatted with some of the teenagers present at the London event (pictured)
The Duke of Sussex attended the National Youth Mentoring Summit for The Diana Award and met supporters including Kelly Hoppen (right, in the black dress)
‘When you become a parent, it makes you more aware. He knows that having someone to guide you is a privilege that not everyone has.
‘And it was lovely that he referred to his mother. Everything we do here is about continuing Diana’s legacy and her values of selflessness, compassion and service. ‘That’s what you do as a mentor. To actually hear him refer to his mother was very special.’
She said the charity was working to bring its mentoring schemes to as many Year 7 pupils – aged around 11 to 12 year olds – in the country.
‘It’s such a crucial time in their lives,’ she said, ‘let’s not wait until something has gone wrong. Early intervention is crucial.
‘They are at an age when they want to find a group to join, they want to fit in, but that’s when they can get into the wrong crowd.’
Prince Harry shook hands with mentors as he attended the National Youth Mentoring Summit for The Diana Award
Through its summit The Diana Award aims to promote the benefits of making high quality mentoring programmes accessible to all and break the stereotypical view of who a mentor can be.
Through a programme of public and private visits, Harry regularly supports projects that enable children from disadvantaged backgrounds to build their skills and confidence.
In 2017, on the 20th anniversary of her death, the charity announced a special Legacy Award.
The award will be presented to 20 exceptional young people – aged between 9-18 – from across the world for their selfless commitment to transforming the lives of others across the world at a special Legacy Ceremony in May 2017.