The Prince has made bracelets a fashion statement for himself, but one of them is a piece of Diana's heart that he never takes off.
Whenever the royal families make their public appearances, the cameras capture each and every detail of their outfit. From shoes to accessories, all are paid attention to. Prince Harry, for example, has shown a love for bracelets through the years as he's paired them with his well-cut suits as well as casual outfits.
But, what we've never noticed is that while the Prince was making his own fashion statement with beaded bracelets, there was one particular piece around his wrist that never changed - a dark brown cuff with silver pill-shaped oval engravings.
According to Hello Magazine, the Prince was reportedly seen wearing the bracelet for the first time back in 2001. He even donned it during the announcement of his wedding. Even though he keeps alternating his beaded bracelets, this one particular silver accessory is always on his wrist. So what is it that keeps Prince Harry from removing the piece of jewelry? It's the sentiments attached to the piece.
The 35-year-old reportedly got the bracelet while on a trip to Africa right after his mother Diana's death in 1997. Africa is a special place of sentimental value for both of the individuals. Right before her tragic car crash, Diana had visited Angola in Africa to bring the place into the spotlight as it was littered with land mines that killed thousands of civilians, reported NBC News. Her work paved the way to the signing of an international treaty by countries to rid the world of land mines.
While talking to Town & Country, Prince Harry revealed that after Diana's death, Prince Charles took both him and brother, Prince William to the continent the same year to escape the chaos around them.
He said, "I first came in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags—we were going to Africa to get away from it all. My brother and I were brought up outdoors. We appreciate the countryside; we appreciate nature and everything about it. But it became more…"
As he continued, he sounded more and more like his mother. He said, "This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world... I have this intense sense of complete relaxation and normality here. To not get recognized, to lose myself in the bush with what I would call the most down-to-earth people on the planet." Diana became the "queen of people's hearts" with her grace and works for the welfare of the underprivileged.
The bracelet isn't the only jewelry that the Prince holds close to his heart. The Mirror reported that he famously proposed his wife, Meghan Markle with a diamond from Botswana but he also included two rings from Diana's personal collection.
Even though so many years have passed since Diana's death, the wounds of her loss are still fresh for the Prince. He was just a 12-year-old boy when the crash stole away his mother's love from him. He revisited Africa again in 2019, to continue the work that his mother had started.
Documented as Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, the trip was an emotional one for Prince Harry as he retraced the steps his mother took to bring peace to the people for Africa, reported Today. In the interview, he revealed that no other work so far has given him the happiness and satisfaction that he felt during his time in Angola.
He further described the tragic event of the 1997 car crash as “a wound that festers” for him even now. He said, “I think being part of this family, in this role, in this job, every single time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back. So, in that respect, it’s the worst reminder of her life, as opposed to the best.”
The prince then explained that Angola reminded him of his beloved mother all the time. Right before embarking on the walk where once Diana sauntered, right through the field of active mines, he said, "Being here now, 22 years later, trying to finish what she started will be incredibly emotional, but everything I do reminds me of her.” He then repeated, “But as I said, with the role, with the job and the pressures that come with that, I get reminded of the bad stuff, unfortunately.”
References:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/prince-harry-walk-mother-diana-s-footsteps-angola-visit-n1059416
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a8954/prince-harry-african-parks/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/africa/prince-harry-meghan-markle-africa-12374389
https://www.today.com/news/prince-harry-says-princess-diana-s-death-wound-festers-t164958
