‘How amazing is that?’: Liam Payne surprises 13-year-old winner of Diana Award and congratulates her on campaigning for children’s rights
- Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons
- The first virtual ceremony for The Diana Award takes place on July, at 3pm
- The award are the highest accolade a young person can get for social action or humanitarian efforts
- 184 young people, aged between nine and 25, who come from across 35 countries, will be honoured
- The ceremony also falls on what would have been Princess Diana’s 59th birthday
Liam Payne has surprised a 13-year-old who won a Diana Award for her social action and humanitarian efforts.
The former One Direction singer, 26, spoke to inspirational Madihah Nehar ahead of her award ceremony on July 1 to congratulate her for winning the accolade.
Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the awards are the highest accolade a young person can get for social action or humanitarian efforts
Congratulations: Liam Payne has surprised a 13-year-old who won a Diana Award for her social action and humanitarian efforts
Liam told a delighted Madihah, who picked up the awards for campaigning for children’s rights: ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you and I want to say congratulations on your Diana Award.
‘I mean, how amazing is that? Would you like to just tell everybody who’s watching some of the amazing things that you have done for children’s rights?’
Madihah said: ‘I’m getting my award for campaigning for children’s rights and this includes the right to a voice, the right to an education and the right to environment.
‘I do this by doing assemblies and going to other schools to make it clear to everyone that this is right and this is what children deserve..
Impressive: The former One Direction singer, 26, spoke to Madihah Nehar ahead of her award ceremony to congratulate her for winning the accolade
Liam then interjected to speak about what an honour it must be to win an award with Princess Diana’s name attached to it.
He said: ‘That is amazing, that’s so cool. What does it mean for you to get an award in her memory?’
Madihah replied: ‘She was an inspiration to so many people so it’s an honour for me to get an award in her memory.
He said: ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you and I want to say congratulations on your Diana Award’
‘She used her publicity from being a member of the royal family to make good in the world.’
To which Liam responded: ‘I think she was a really beautiful person, I think she was the kind of person that made everybody feel really at ease.
‘She always had that look in her eye that things were always going to get better.’
Wednesday’s award ceremony, which also marks what would have been Diana’s 59th birthday, will see 184 inspirational children being presented with a Diana Award – the highest accolade a young person can get for social action or humanitarian efforts.
The young people, aged between nine and 25, come from across 35 countries.
The virtual ceremony takes place at 3pm on Wednesday and can be viewing on The Diana Award YouTube channel.
Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Award is given out by the charity of the same name is supported by both her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Ambitious: Madihah received her award for campaigning for children’s right to a voice, right to an education and the right to environment
Liam added: ‘The way young people like Madihah are getting involved in their communities, making change and empowering others is amazing
Liam added: ‘The way young people like Madihah are getting involved in their communities, making change and empowering others is amazing, it just shows us how great the world can be.
‘I wish I would have had that urge to do what these change-makers are doing so I’m thrilled to be able to celebrate them and spread The Diana Award’s message that young people do have the power to change the world, as far as I can.’
This afternoon’s virtual ceremony will see an array of celebrities honouring the young change-makers via surprise video presentations.
Much missed: Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons (pictured 1996)