Prince William Delivers Emotional Speech as He Opens First Memorial of Its Kind Meredith KileOctober 2, 2025 at 1:04 AM 0 Chris Jackson/Getty Prince William opens the Global Humanitarian Memorial on Oct.
- - Prince William Delivers Emotional Speech as He Opens First Memorial of Its Kind
Meredith KileOctober 2, 2025 at 1:04 AM
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Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince William opens the Global Humanitarian Memorial on Oct. 1, 2025 in London -
Prince William gave an emotional speech as he opened the Global Humanitarian Memorial in London
The memorial, created by Michael Landy, is a tribute to aid workers who have died in service around the world
The event came one day after William's aunt, Princess Anne, made a top-secret trip to Ukraine to visit with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discuss the U.K.'s support amid the Russian invasion
Prince William paid tribute to humanitarian aid workers in an emotional speech.
At a launch event held by the Humanitarian Memorial Committee in London, the Prince of Wales, 43, helped officially open the world's first permanent humanitarian memorial, paying tribute to those who have lost their lives while providing aid to those suffering amid natural disasters, man-made conflict, famine and more.
"Rather than running away from danger, discomfort and hunger, these incredibly brave men and women stay behind to bring whatever respite, compassion and care they can to those who need it the most," William said in a speech. "We must champion and fight for their access to people in the most desperate of circumstances."
The Global Humanitarian Memorial, created by Michael Landy, features a circle of 15 human-scale figures in various stages of distress. Spaces between some of the figures invite visitors to join hands and "complete the circle" during their visit.
Chris Jackson/Getty
Michael Landy and Prince William at the launch of the Global Humanitarian Memorial on Oct. 1, 2025 in London
Prince William described the installation as "a physical recognition of the courage and sacrifice humanitarian aid workers make to ensure the most vulnerable receive lifesaving support."
The event included family members of some aid workers, who the royal heir called "selfless individuals," who died in service in areas like Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Myanmar and more.
"Every single one of those deaths is a tragedy. A cruel affront to the international humanitarian principles which must remain sacrosanct," the prince said. "One thing that should unite all of us is support and protection for those that seek to help others in the most dire situations. The brave humanitarians that seek to feed and heal innocent people deserve our respect and deserve their safety."
In conclusion, Prince William reflected on his experiences as both a public servent and a father as he opened the memorial to the public.
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"I hope that it can be a place both for quiet contemplation and for education. So that children now and in the future can learn about humanitarianism, and the remarkably brave men and women who, endanger their lives every day to help others in their hour of greatest need," he said.
William's event came a day after his aunt Princess Anne made a meaningful humanitarian trip of her own.
The Princess Royal, 75, made a top-secret visit to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion on Sept. 30 at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. There, she met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, first lady Olena Zelenska, in Kyiv, where they discussed the U.K.'s support for Ukraine.
During the unpublicized trip, Princess Anne also met female police and military personnel to hear about their critical role protecting women and children, toured the Child Rights Protection Centre, and paid her respects at the Children's Memorial in the capital city, leaving behind a teddy bear that once belonged to her daughter, Zara Tindall.
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