In a moving address,Prince Williamspoke of his own experience of grief as he paid tribute to those who had lost loved ones during theterrorism attacks at mosques in New Zealand last month.Addressing the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on Friday (local time), where more than 40 worshippers were murdered in the March 15 attacks, William, 36, called the action an “unspeakable hate had unfolded in New Zealand – a country of peace.”“I stand with you in firm belief that the forces of love will always prevail over the forces of hate.”He added the terrorist hoped to promote “fear and distrust,” but “New Zealanders had other plans. The people of Al Noor and Linwood mosques had other plans. In a moment of acute pain, you stood up and you stood together. And in reaction to tragedy, you achieved something remarkable.”Mark Tantrum/The New Zealand Government via GettyAnd William, who lost his motherPrincess Dianawhen he was just 15, told the faithful gathered in the mosque, “I have had reasons myself to reflect on grief and sudden pain and loss in my own life. And in my role, I have often seen up close the sorrow of others in moments of tragedy, as I have today.TRACEY NEARMY/AFP/Getty“What I have realized is that of course grief can change your outlook. You don’t ever forget the shock, the sadness and the pain. But I do not believe that grief changes who you are. Grief – if you let it – will reveal who you are. It can reveal depths that you did not know you had.”The prince, who supports the charityChild Bereavement UK, added, “The startling weight of grief can burst any bubble of complacency in how you live your life, and help you to live up to the values you espouse.”MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/GettyEarlier in histwo-day visitWilliam visited patients – includinga little girlwho reminded him of his daughterCharlotte– who are being cared for following the bombings.Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!Praising the members of the public and then, the first responders (William was once one, when he served as an air ambulance pilot), he said the “nation revealed just how deep your wells of empathy, compassion, warmth, and love truly run.”Kensington Palace/TwitterHe continued, “You started showing what New Zealand really was almost immediately. On the road outside these walls people pulled their cars over and started caring for the victims even when they did not know if it was safe to do so. Your neighbors opened their doors to those who were fleeing the violence.”And he added, “The message from Christchurch and the message from Al Noor and Linwood mosques could not be more clear – the global ideology of hate will fail to divide us.”
In a moving address,Prince Williamspoke of his own experience of grief as he paid tribute to those who had lost loved ones during theterrorism attacks at mosques in New Zealand last month.
Addressing the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on Friday (local time), where more than 40 worshippers were murdered in the March 15 attacks, William, 36, called the action an “unspeakable hate had unfolded in New Zealand – a country of peace.”
“I stand with you in firm belief that the forces of love will always prevail over the forces of hate.”
He added the terrorist hoped to promote “fear and distrust,” but “New Zealanders had other plans. The people of Al Noor and Linwood mosques had other plans. In a moment of acute pain, you stood up and you stood together. And in reaction to tragedy, you achieved something remarkable.”
Mark Tantrum/The New Zealand Government via Getty
And William, who lost his motherPrincess Dianawhen he was just 15, told the faithful gathered in the mosque, “I have had reasons myself to reflect on grief and sudden pain and loss in my own life. And in my role, I have often seen up close the sorrow of others in moments of tragedy, as I have today.
TRACEY NEARMY/AFP/Getty
“What I have realized is that of course grief can change your outlook. You don’t ever forget the shock, the sadness and the pain. But I do not believe that grief changes who you are. Grief – if you let it – will reveal who you are. It can reveal depths that you did not know you had.”
The prince, who supports the charityChild Bereavement UK, added, “The startling weight of grief can burst any bubble of complacency in how you live your life, and help you to live up to the values you espouse.”
MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty
Earlier in histwo-day visitWilliam visited patients – includinga little girlwho reminded him of his daughterCharlotte– who are being cared for following the bombings.
Praising the members of the public and then, the first responders (William was once one, when he served as an air ambulance pilot), he said the “nation revealed just how deep your wells of empathy, compassion, warmth, and love truly run.”
Kensington Palace/Twitter
He continued, “You started showing what New Zealand really was almost immediately. On the road outside these walls people pulled their cars over and started caring for the victims even when they did not know if it was safe to do so. Your neighbors opened their doors to those who were fleeing the violence.”
And he added, “The message from Christchurch and the message from Al Noor and Linwood mosques could not be more clear – the global ideology of hate will fail to divide us.”
source: people.com
