Prince William Honors Family Friend Who Turned Grief Into Lasting Legacy

Prince William is handing over a special King Charles honor to a special family friend.

In the beautiful surroundings of Windsor Castle on May 8, the mother of close friends William and his brother Prince Harry was honored for the extraordinary success of the charity founded in her late son’s name.

Claire van Straubenzee received an MBE for the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, an educational not-for-profit organization that has helped hundreds of thousands of children in Uganda since 2004. The charity is named after Claire and Alex van Straubenzee’s second son, Henry, who died in car accident in 2002, just before he was supposed to go to an African country to work at a school.

Henry’s brothers, Thomas and Charlie, are also very close friends of the princes and have secured their support for the charity, marking it as the only patronage they share. The princes, along with Kate Middleton and her family, and in her first year of marriage in 2018, Meghan Markle, will join the van Straubenzees for their annual fundraising service, making it a major event on London’s social calendar.

Earlier this year, the van Straubenzees traveled to Uganda for the last time as trustees of the charity.

“We were expecting a pretty subdued reception from the schools, but we were surprised by the number of schools that put on happy ceremonies in what could have been a sad time,” Claire told PEOPLE at the farewell. “Many children met us at the school gate. So much joyous singing and dancing even though they know we’re not coming back.”

Claire and Alex van Straubenzee at Makota Primary School, Uganda, in March 2024.

Sue Macpherson

“We have mixed emotions as we say goodbye to so many of our wonderful friends in Uganda and their schools, but at the same time we realize that we have fully supported them with over 1,800 projects since 2004 and have never let them down,” she continues.

Success had humble beginnings. After an initial donation in Henry’s name from a friend, it became clear that the family could make a larger, long-term contribution to schools in Uganda while fighting poverty. Since 2007, they have raised more than $4.1m (£3.3m), helping an impressive 35,000 children a year in 51 nursery, primary and secondary schools.

Much of this achievement was made possible by the help of Princes William and Harry, who became patrons of the charity in 2009. Their polo games and appearances at the charity’s annual Christmas carol celebration, which alone raised more than $630,000, contributed significantly to the funds.

Claire van Straubenzee during a farewell at Bupadhengo Primary School in Uganda, in March 2024.

Sue Macpherson

Prince William befriended Thomas during their time at Ludgrove Preparatory School, while Harry was a contemporary of Henry. During many of their long summer holidays as teenagers and young adults, both princes holidayed with their families in Cornwall, “surfing at Polzeath beach which everyone enjoyed,” recalls Claire. Family ties continue, and Thomas and Charlie are godfathers to William’s daughter, Princess Charlotte, and Harry’s son, Archie, respectively.

“The princes felt Henry’s death deeply, so when we set up the charity they were both eager to become patrons. Their fundraising has been a huge help and a big draw for donors,” she says, adding, “Their participation in some of our annual Christmas carols has helped attract a large community.”

Thomas van Straubenzee with Prince William, at Cowarth Park Polo Club, May 31, 2014.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Today, he says proudly: “We are amazed at what we have been able to achieve, but delighted that Henry’s name has been kept alive 22 years after his death.”

The charity now ensures that every school it supports has separate toilets and washing facilities for boys and girls, whereas previously they were shared. In addition, boreholes have been installed in each school, ensuring a constant supply of clean water.

Prince Harry watches England play rugby with Charlie van Straubenzee at Twickenham, London on October 3, 2015 with his arms raised.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

“Children can have lessons in classrooms sitting at a table and not under a tree on the ground,” she adds.

The non-profit organization’s strategy has also ensured that each primary school fits into one of our secondary schools and that each primary school has a nursery school within it. The principal at Bupadhengo Primary School, where her son Henry used to teach, became an ambassador for the charity in the country, continuing the legacy.

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Even as their relationship became strained, the royal brothers acknowledged the charity’s impact in what is believed to be their last joint statement at the Christmas service in December 2022, when they wrote: “What Claire and Alex have achieved since 2009 . .. it’s nothing. shorter than extraordinary.”

Noting the charity’s phasing out, which is currently underway, the letter added: “Henry’s legacy will live on through the incredible achievements of what his mum and dad have achieved over the years.”

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Source: HIS Education