PRINCE HARRY, IN A MOVING, PERSONAL JOURNEY INTO AFRICA TO SHED LIGHT
ON THE DEVASTATING AIDS EPIDEMIC, DISCUSSES HIS MOTHER'S LEGACY
AND HIS HOPE FOR A MORE NORMAL LIFE
Diane Sawyer's Hour-Long "Primetime Live" Report Airs
Thursday, November 18 on ABC
For years the world has watched Britain's Prince Harry from afar and known him only through a few familiar, distant images. His parents-especially his mother-did all they could to protect their sons from the intense media spotlight and allow them to live as normal a childhood as possible. Now, "Primetime Live" shows Harry as he has never been seen before. The young prince talks candidly about his mother's enduring legacy for the first time as he follows in her footsteps, bringing a similar passion to an important humanitarian mission. Diane Sawyer chronicles Harry's recent visit to the African kingdom of Lesotho, where he worked to shine a spotlight on the needs of a poverty-stricken nation. The hour-long "Primetime Live" report provides a rare, intimate view of Harry and a unique portrait of the famous boy who has now become a man. "Primetime Live" airs THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
The twenty-year-old prince spent two months of his "gap" year-the year between high school and university-journeying across Lesotho. He meets its people, seeing for himself how the unchecked spread of HIV/AIDS has caused devastation and despair, and rolls up his sleeves to help. Along the way, he videotapes what he sees and shares thoughts about why he and older brother William want to make a difference in the world, as their mother did before them. He also talks about those who continue to focus on her personal life even after her death.
Lesotho's orphanages are overwhelmed by the number of children left parentless and abandoned by the AIDS epidemic. Harry meets many orphans and hears their heartbreaking stories-from the adorable little boy who soon becomes his "shadow" to the tiny baby who has been deeply traumatized after a brutal attack inspired by a horrific myth. He holds the infant in an image reminiscent of when his mother first held a baby with AIDS, a powerful picture that helped to de-stigmatize victims of the disease.
Humanitarian organizations are doing what they can, but the prince's visit is already drawing attention and much-needed funding to this urgent cause. "I always wanted to go to an AIDS country to carry on my mother's legacy as much as I can," says Harry. "I don't want to take over from her, because I never will. I don't think anyone can, but I want to try and carry it on to make her proud."
DIANE SAWYER, CHRIS CUOMO, CYNTHIA McFADDEN and JOHN QUIQONES are the anchors of "Primetime Live." SHELLEY ROSS is the executive producer.
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