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How Princess Diana's legacy will be celebrated this year

princess diana
Emily Nash
Emily Nash - London
Royal EditorLondon
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Princess Diana's legacy will be celebrated with a special exhibition at Althorp, her ancestral home, later this year.

The beloved royal's brother Earl Spencer will host the event, which will feature the inspiring stories of young people who are "Walking in her Shoes" and a fundraising gala for the Diana Award in June.

The exhibition, which is being organised by the charity – the only one to carry the Princess's name – is one of a series of events taking place throughout her 20th anniversary year to celebrate her qualities of kindness, compassion and service.

Diana was tragically killed in a car accident on August 31, 1997, leaving behind sons Prince William, 15, and 12-year-old Prince Harry.

princess diana1© Photo: Getty Images

Diana was tragically killed in a car accident on August 31, 1997

The Princes, like their uncle Earl Spencer, are now huge supporters of the Diana Award, which was set up to promote the Princess's belief in the positive power of young people and now fosters, develops and inspires change in the lives of young people around the world.

As well as the exhibition, this year it will commemorate her life by launching a major international award, a groundbreaking app and a national Kindness Day.

The Inaugural Legacy Award will be presented to 20 exceptional young people from around the world at a special ceremony in May, in recognition of their commitment to transforming the lives of others. The Award is open to 2016-2017 recipients of the Diana Award, aged 9-18, from across the globe. The closing date for nominations is March 17.

princess diana2© Photo: Getty Images

Princes William and Harry, like their uncle Earl Spencer, are now huge supporters of the Diana Award

CEO Tessy Ojo told HELLO!: "Diana, Princess of Wales was known worldwide for her values of compassion, her values of kindness and her values of service to others.

"Twenty years on, we at the Diana Award know that her values and her legacy live on through the tens of thousands of young people who only know her as an historic figure, but are committed to continuing those values."

As well as recognising and developing young people who become award holders, the charity also runs mentoring and anti-bullying programmes.

Later this year it will also launch the My True Selfie app, which will encourage young people to show and share their real image and describe their qualities without filters.

And in March, a National Kindness Day will be held to challenge people to show more compassion to others.

princess diana3

A fundraising gala for the Diana Award will take place in June

Recalling Diana's death, Ms Ojo said: "Twenty years ago, I, like millions of others, woke up to that news that morning, and I, like millions of others, wanted to interact with Princess Diana and be part of that movement. Again, I, like millions of others, went to Kensington Palace and laid flowers.

"Twenty years on we want to give the public the opportunity to interact practically with this legacy. "We want to give the public the opportunity to be that little bit kinder, that little bit more compassionate and to think about serving others." HELLO! is proud to be working in partnership with the Diana Award throughout this anniversary year. For more information or to nominate a young person for the Award, visit: https://diana-award.org.uk/

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