Prince Harry Continues Princess Diana’s HIV Activism in New UNAIDS Campaign

Prince Harry is joining forces with prominent HIV advocates to issue a stark warning.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, appeared in a new video for UNAIDS alongside Magic Johnson, Charlize Theron and more to urge continued funding to prevent and treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if not treated. The short film was screened at the United Nations’ global gathering in September 2025.

Despite millions of lives being saved thanks to treatment, “severe” cuts in funding are threatening to prolong the crisis.

“Without urgent action, we will slip backwards,” Harry said in the video. “We are already seeing drastic cuts to HIV prevention and treatment programs.”

Theron said in the video that if funding is not restored, UNAIDS estimates that it could lead to 4.2 million preventable deaths by 2029.

In a statement, Prince Harry said, “Right now, babies are being born with HIV due to interruptions in antiretroviral treatment for their mothers. Without urgent action to reverse these crippling funding cuts, 6 million more people will become infected with HIV while 4 million will die from AIDS-related causes within the next four years. It is not just the at-risk communities that will be affected.”

“We’ve proven that sustained investment saves lives and builds stronger communities,” he continued. “Abandoning this life-saving work now would be a devastating betrayal of progress for the millions who depend on these essential services.”

Prince Harry’s work in the field follows in the footsteps of his mother, Princess Diana, who was known for her crusade for HIV and AIDS awareness and her pioneering efforts to break the false stigma that casual contact can spread the disease.

The Duke of Sussex has worked with several related organizations and taken two HIV tests in public, including one with Rihanna.

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Harry also established the charity Sentebale to help children affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, Africa, which has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world. However, he and his cofounder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, stepped down as patrons of Sentebale earlier this year following a fallout between Sentebale’s board of trustees and chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka.

A source close to the charity claimed to PEOPLE that Chandauka placed the organization under what has been characterized as financial strain. Meanwhile, Chandauka alleged that she was asked to step down after she “dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir.” 

The Charity Commission for England and Wales began an investigation into Sentebale in April 2025, concluding four months later that it found no evidence of “widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir.” The Commission also found no “overreach” by Prince Harry or Chandauka. 

Sentebale’s former trustees said in a statement that they were “disheartened” by the findings and “gravely concerned for the future of the charity.” The current board accepted the Commission’s recommendations to improve how it handles internal disputes and defines organizational roles. 

A spokesperson for Prince Harry said after the investigation that the report came “troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chair’s actions will not be borne by her — but by the children who rely on Sentebale’s support.”

“Sentebale has been a deeply personal and transformative mission for Prince Harry, established to serve some of the most vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana. For 19 years, its dedicated staff and steadfast supporters have provided vital care to over 100,000 young people across southern Africa, including young people living with HIV/AIDS and those facing mental health challenges. As custodians of this once brilliant charity, Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry and the former Board of Trustees helped grow Sentebale from the seed of an idea to — like its namesake — a flowering force for good,” the statement continued.

“With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind — and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began — The Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana,” the statement concluded.