RadarOnline.com reports that estranged brothers Harry and William are reportedly “united in grief” following the release of previously unseen footage of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. This footage highlights one of the most significant humanitarian efforts of her life.
This never-before-seen clip, aired by ITV News as a part of its Reporting History series, showcases Diana’s January 1997 trip to Angola. During this visit, she advocated for a global prohibition on landmines.
Diana, who tragically passed away at 36 in a car accident in Paris later that year, is depicted walking through an active minefield in protective gear. She candidly discusses both her humanitarian cause and her role as a mother with journalists.
Although her visit was internationally lauded, it stirred political controversy in the UK at the time, as it was viewed as aligning with Labour Party policy. This drew criticism from the then Conservative government and became one of Diana’s most iconic moments.
An insider close to the princes commented: “This footage has stirred a wave of emotions for both brothers – it not only highlights the public figure admired globally but also the private mother they lost too soon.”
Another source stated: “There is a collective sense of grief revisiting such moments, especially given how clearly her values and priorities are expressed in the footage.”
Steve Scott, who served as ITV’s Africa correspondent during Diana’s humanitarian visit, recalled his interaction with the late princess during the trip.
He recounted, “I stood with her on the plane. It was a lengthy conversation. She expressed how much she missed her boys when she was away.
“Even though this campaign was crucial to her and she intended to continue it, her boys were her priority, and that’s where she planned to focus most of her energy moving forward.”
Scott also reflected on the profound impact of her death later that year.
“Once it sank in, I found it deeply sad,” he remembered. “A woman who could have made a significant difference was gone. The woman who spoke to me about her sons and their importance suddenly left those boys without the mother who would guide them through life.
“Who knows how their relationship might have evolved if she were still here?”
In the newly released archive footage, Diana addresses the political criticism surrounding her campaign involvement, stressing her humanitarian focus.
She remarked: “I saw it merely as a distraction as I’m not a political figure, I’m a humanitarian figure.”
The Angola trip remains one of the most lasting images of Diana’s public life, especially her walk through a partially cleared minefield, which brought global attention to the threat of unexploded ordnance in post-conflict areas.
A source familiar with the broadcast commented: “The footage underscores just how personally committed she was – it wasn’t just symbolic, she was willing to physically place herself in those environments to highlight the issue.”
Initiatives linked to campaigns like Diana’s have since led to the removal of an estimated 100,000 landmines in Angola.
Harry, now 41, retraced his mother’s steps in 2019 during a visit as part of his work with the Halo Trust, continuing her advocacy for mine clearance.
A source noted: “Diana’s legacy in this area remains immensely significant, and revisiting these moments serves as a reminder of the substantial impact she made – both at the time and in the years since.”
