By Sean Coughlan | Royal Correspondent
Prince Harry has followed in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana, by visiting a landmine clearance project in Angola, highlighting the ongoing danger posed by unexploded ordnance left from years of conflict.

During his visit, the Duke of Sussex walked through a demined area in protective gear, echoing the powerful image of Diana’s 1997 visit when she famously walked through a minefield in Huambo wearing body armor and a visor. Her visit brought global attention to the deadly legacy of landmines in post-war regions.

“Children should never have to live in fear of playing outside or walking to school,” Prince Harry said, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety for civilians living near former conflict zones.

The visit was in support of the Halo Trust, the same British charity that Princess Diana championed during her campaign to ban landmines. Since its inception in Angola, Halo Trust has removed over 120,000 landmines. Still, nearly 1,000 minefields remain scattered across the country—reminders of a brutal civil war that lasted decades.

Since 2008, landmines have claimed or maimed an estimated 60,000 lives in Angola. The threat remains especially severe for children and rural communities unaware of where explosives are buried.

Prince Harry visited a local village near a minefield and met with schoolchildren who are being taught mine awareness and safety skills. He also praised the ongoing efforts of the Halo Trust and expressed hope for a mine-free future.

“The remnants of war still threaten lives every day,” said the Duke, who serves as patron of the organization. He previously worked with the Halo Trust in 2019, when he detonated a controlled mine during another trip to Angola.

Earlier this week, the prince also met with Angola’s President, João Lourenço, and commended the government’s renewed commitment to landmine clearance efforts.

James Cowan, CEO of the Halo Trust, reaffirmed the charity’s dedication: “We will continue our work in solidarity with the Angolan people until every last mine is cleared.”

Princess Diana’s 1997 visit sparked international conversations about the impact of landmines, and despite criticism from some political circles at the time, her advocacy contributed to a growing global movement. The path she walked has since been cleared, and the once-dangerous area is now home to a thriving community. Fittingly, local children now attend Princess Diana School, built on the very site where her historic walk took place.