Prince William Honors Household Good friend Who Turned Grief Into Lasting Legacy

Prince William is handing over a particular honor from King Charles to a particular household buddy.

Within the splendid environment of Windsor Fort on Could 8, the mom of shut buddies of William and his brother Prince Harry was rewarded for the extraordinary success of a charity established in her late son’s identify.

Claire van Straubenzee acquired an MBE for the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, an academic non-profit that has helped a whole bunch of 1000’s of youngsters in Uganda since 2004. The charity is called after Claire and Alex van Straubenzee’s second son, Henry, who died in a automobile crash in 2002, simply earlier than he was because of go to the African nation to work in a college.

Henry’s brothers, Thomas and Charlie, are additionally very shut associates of the princes and acquired their assist for the charity, marking it as the one patronage they shared. The princes, together with Kate Middleton and her household, and in her first 12 months of marriage in 2018, Meghan Markle, would be part of the van Straubenzees at their annual fundraising carol service, making it a notable occasion on London’s social calendar.

Earlier this 12 months, the van Straubenzees traveled to Uganda for the final time as trustees of the charity.

“We anticipated a relatively subdued reception from the faculties, however we have been amazed by the variety of faculties placing on completely happy ceremonies on what might have been a tragic event,” Claire tells PEOPLE of the farewell. “There have been crowds of youngsters assembly us on the college gates. A lot joyful singing and dancing ever although they know we’re not returning.”

“Now we have combined feelings as a result of we’re saying goodbye to so lots of our great associates in Uganda and their faculties, however on the similar time, we understand that we’ve got supported them totally with over 1800 tasks since 2004 and by no means allow them to down,” she continues.

The success had humble beginnings. After an preliminary donation in Henry’s identify from associates, it grew to become clear that the household might make a bigger, long-term contribution to Ugandan faculties whereas additionally addressing poverty. Since 2007, they’ve raised over $4.1 million (£3.3 million), benefiting a formidable 35,000 kids yearly throughout 51 nursery, elementary, and secondary faculties.

A lot of this achievement was made attainable by way of the help of Princes William and Harry, who grew to become patrons of the charity in 2009. Their polo video games and appearances on the charity’s annual carol service, which alone raised greater than $630,000, contributed considerably to the funds.

Prince William grew to become associates with Thomas throughout their time at their prep college Ludgrove, whereas Harry was a up to date of Henry. All through lots of their lengthy summer season breaks as youngsters and younger adults, each princes vacationed with the household in Cornwall, “browsing at Polzeath seashore which everybody loved,” Claire remembers. The household ties endure, with Thomas and Charlie serving as godparents to William’s daughter, Princess Charlotte, and Harry’s son, Archie, respectively.

“Henry’s dying was felt deeply by the princes so, once we arrange the charity, each have been desperate to turn out to be Patrons. Their fundraising was enormously useful and a strong draw for donors,” she says, including, “Their involvement in a few of our annual carol providers helped entice a big congregation.”

Right now, she proudly says, “We’re amazed at what we’ve got managed to attain however thrilled that Henry’s identify has been saved alive 22 years after his dying.”

The charity now ensures that every college it helps has separate latrines and washing amenities for girls and boys, whereas beforehand they have been shared. Moreover, boreholes have been put in in every college, guaranteeing a constant provide of fresh water.

“The youngsters can have classes in school rooms sitting at a desk relatively than beneath a tree sitting on the bottom,” she provides.

The nonprofit’s technique has additionally ensured that every main college feeds into one in every of our secondary faculties, and that every main college has a nursery college inside its grounds. The top trainer at Bupadhengo Main Faculty, the place her son Henry would have taught, has turn out to be the charity’s ambassador within the nation, carrying on the legacy.

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At the same time as their relationship grew to become strained, the royal brothers acknowledged the charity’s influence in what’s believed to be their final joint assertion on the carol service in December 2022, once they wrote: “What Claire and Alex have achieved since 2009 … is nothing in need of extraordinary.”

Noting the gradual winding down of the charity, which is presently underway, the letter added, “Henry’s legacy will dwell on by way of the unimaginable achievements of what his mum and pop have completed over time.”