Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, has written an opening message for our auction catalogue to mark 40 years of Terrence Higgins Trust and pay tribute to his motherโs legacy.
Princess Diana was a leader in destigmatising this infected with HIV at a time when public information was low. Images of her shaking the hands of Aids patients reassured people that those infected were not dangerous to interact with. She said “HIV does not make people dangerous to know” when opening the UK’s first specialist HIV/Aids ward in London in 1987. “You can shake their hands and give them a hug”.
Terry Higgins was one of the first people in the UK to die of an AIDS-related illness. He died aged 37, on 4 July 1982 at St Thomas’ Hospital, London. His partner and friends named the Trust after him and ever since the Terrence Higgins Trust has tried to end stigma against the HIV positive and end the HIV Epidemic.
Prince Harryโs Message
For the past 40 years, Terrence Higgins Trust has been revolutionising the fight against HIV and AIDS. What began as honouring the loss of a loved one has evolved into the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity that provides essential education, funding and services to thousands living with HIV.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex
I’ve been involved with Terrence Higgins Trust for a number of years, and the fight to end this epidemic is a big piece of my mum’s legacy.
Like many, my mother grew up in a world where HIV was likely a death sentence. Yet, in the midst of all that uncertainty, she led with empathy, finding the humanity in all around her and demonstrating the power of connection in the face of fear. While my mother did not live to see the success of today’s treatments, I feel immense pride in being able to continue her advocacy with you.
As Terrence Higgins Trust has evolved over the years, their goal has remained the same: end new transmissions. Terrence Higgins Trust has pledged to make England the first country to end new HIV cases by 2030, but they need all of us to do our part by encouraging testing so we all know our status, eradicating stigma that thrives on silence, and donating the resources Terrence Higgins Trust needs to keep up their efforts at pace.
Though the last 40 years have shown significant progress, we cannot slow down now, we must finish the job.
My biggest and heartfelt congratulations on this historic milestone. May the next one we celebrate signal an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic for all.
Thank you!
Reaction to Prince Harryโs Message
โForty years ago when Terry Higgins died HIV didnโt have a name, let alone a test, care or treatment. So much has changed but the stigma has not. Terrence Higgins Trust works every day to fight the stigma and end the epidemic. We can end HIV cases by 2030 and will not stop until we have. We need HIV testing in A&E across the country, peer support in every HIV clinic and nothing to hold back people living we HIV. Together we can do it.โ
Richard Angell, Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust
Final thought
HIV is a disease that thrives in darkness. Ignorance and complacency allow this epidemic to move from person to person, from generation to generation. As Princess Diana, the friends and family of Terry Higgins have showed us in the past, so new leaders like Prince Harry must continue the work to ensure that people with HIV are not stigmatised and can live their lives to the fullest and to ensure that the epidemic can be brought to and end as soon as possible.