Princes William & Harry Honor Mother, Friend at Charity Event

Prince William opened up briefly about losing his mother at a London charity event, held in honor of a friend who died the same way the late Princess of Wales died – in a car accident.

He and younger brother Prince Harry attended the event which honored friend Henry van Straubenzee. A charity has been set up in his name to fund schools in Uganda.

“Having lost someone so close in similar circumstances, Harry and I understand how important it is to keep their memory alive,” said the second in line to throne.

He continued, “This is the first charity of which we have both been patrons and it couldn’t have been a better one, as Henry was such a very close friend of ours and because we believe so strongly in the need to alleviate poverty and assist development in African countries.”

The charity was set up in the name of the princes’ friend who died in a car crash in 2002 – five years after Princess Diana was killed when the Mercedes she was traveling in crashed in Paris.

Van Sraubenzee was one of Harry’s closest friends, and the pair were in the same year at Ludgrove School.

“Henry would be so proud of his family for what they are doing in his name,” said 24-year-old Harry at the London reception.