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Prince Harry seemingly choked up while paying tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, in a video message on Monday.

During a virtual appearance at the Diana Award ceremony that was later uploaded to Instagram, the Duke of Sussex, 36, movingly spoke about the charity behind the event, which was set up in memory of the Princess of Wales to celebrate young leaders changing the world.

"Later this week, my brother [Prince William] and I are recognizing what would have been my mum’s 60th birthday, and she would have been so proud of you all for living an authentic life with purpose and compassion for others," Harry said, his voice seemingly catching when he mentioned his beloved mom.

Harry was just 12 and William was 15 when Diana died in a car accident in 1997. She was 36 years old.

The California-based prince is back in the UK, where he will take part alongside Prince William, 39, in the unveiling of a statue of Diana on Thursday.

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The statue unveiling is taking place on July 1, which would have been Princess Diana's 60th birthday

The statue unveiling is taking place on July 1, which would have been Princess Diana's 60th birthday (Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Image)

Last week, it was reported that invitations to the ceremony at Kensington Palace have been sharply scaled back in recent days due to COVID-19 -related restrictions.

Originally, 100-plus guests were expected. That number has now been reduced to William, Harry, Diana’s close family, the statue committee, sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley and garden designer Pip Morrison.

William’s wife, Kate Middleton, will not be present.

Page Six exclusively reported that the Duchess of Cambridge’s absence "speaks volumes" amid her husband’s rift with his younger brother.

"I think keeping the numbers down is a perfect ‘excuse’ for Catherine to stay away. William is fed up with the drama and Catherine doesn’t need to be dragged into this," a royal source said.

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Diana’s ex-husband, Prince Charles, will also reportedly miss the ceremony.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry recently welcomed a daughter named Lilibet Diana.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry recently welcomed a daughter named Lilibet Diana. (Neil Mockford/GC Images)

"It brings back memories for him; happy, sad, regretful," an insider told the UK Times. "Since Diana’s death, he has felt it’s best to keep those memories to himself and leave his sons to it."

Harry is said to be quarantining at his Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage, where he is believed to have been visited by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

His wife, Meghan Markle, is at home in Montecito, Calif., caring for their 3-week old daughter, Lilibet Diana, and their 2-year-old son, Archie.

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Harry and Meghan moved stateside last year after quitting the royal family.

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