Princess Diana’s 1997 Angola minefield walk inspired a campaign still saving lives

In January 1997, Princess Diana walked through a minefield in Huambo, Angola, wearing protective equipment and accompanied by a mine-removal expert from the HALO Trust. Her visit highlighted the devastating impact of landmines after a civil war that had left Angola contaminated by more than 15 million mines. The appearance brought worldwide attention to the campaign for a landmine ban and helped build public support for international action. Decades later, Angola still faces clearance challenges, with 7,300 hectares of land reported to require mine clearance in 2024.Why did Princess Diana walk into an Angolan minefield in 1997Diana visited Angola in January 1997 as a guest of the International Red Cross, during a brief and fragile period of peace following a civil war that had lasted around 20 years. The conflict had left the country contaminated by more than 15 million landmines. These weapons were causing civilian casualties and obstructing recovery in communities affected by the fighting. The BBC reported that, at the time of Diana’s visit, one in every 330 people in Angola had lost a limb.During the visit, Diana walked along a cleared path through a minefield in the San Antonio...