Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesBrothers Prince Harry and Prince William are paying tribute to their late mother Princess Diana's charitable legacy.
In honor of the 15th anniversary of the Diana Awards, which recognizes young people who have contributed to society in a profound manner, the Duke of Cambridge and his younger sibling wrote a forward for a book celebrating the organization's successful decade and a half, noting that their mother would be "proud" of the charity. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award was first established in 1999, two years after the tragic death of the beloved royal.
"We believe, when encouraged and supported, that young people have the ability to change society for the better," the royal siblings wrote (per the Daily Mail). "We know that our mother—in whose memory this award was established—felt the same and would be proud of its achievements to date."
Since its inception, the Diana Award has recognized 40,000 young people for being active campaigners, anti-bullying champions, notable fundraisers and more in addition to boasting both anti-bullying as well as mentorship programs.
"Having met young people working with the charity in Newcastle and in London, we were struck in both cases by their deep and lasting sense of social responsibility," William and Harry continued. "These young people were working hard to tackle the social issues that affected them—such as bullying or social exclusion—and the Diana Award empowered them to do more."
13-year-old Ellie Louise Harris-Beard was among the recipients honored with the highly coveted accolade for helping her family found the charity Cords4Life, which encourages umbilical cord donations. Her brother, Charlie, was being treated with stem cells from an umbilical cord before he lost his battle to leukemia last year.
The young Kidderminster native established the charity in memory of her brother to honor his legacy.