Prince William shared a never-before-seen photo of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales on Mothering Sunday.
The photograph was taken at Highgrove in 1984, when William was two-years-old. He added a personal message, writing, “Remembering my mother, today and every day. Thinking of all those who are remembering someone they love today. Happy Mother’s Day.”
Diana was killed on 31 August 1997 following a car accident in Paris. In the decades since her death, William has become a vocal supporter of bereavement support for young people. He is the patron of Child Bereavement UK, which was founded by his mother’s friend—and Prince George’s godmother—Julia Samuel.
On a visit to Child Bereavement UK in February 2025, William spoke with a group of young people and told them how vital it was to have a support network as they deal with their pain. “It’s crucial for the first few years, particularly, that you have support like this,” he said. “Sometimes the hardest thing about grief is finding the words for how you actually feel.”
That spring, he elaborated on grief in a message announcing the merger of Child Bereavement UK and Winton’s Wish. “Grief is the worst pain any child or parent will ever endure, and while we cannot prevent these losses, we can ensure that every possible type of expert support and care is given to help rebuild the lives of those affected.”
William has spoken in the past about how talking about his mother helps him with his grief. In an interview with British GQ magazine in 2017, he said “I find talking about my mother and keeping her memory alive very important. I find it therapeutic to talk about her, and to talk about how I feel.”
He also speaks about ‘Granny Diana’ with his children, and keeps photos of his mother around their home so that they know who she was. In 2021, Kensington Palace shared cards from Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to their late grandmother on Mothering Sunday. “Each year on Mother’s Day, George, Charlotte and Louis make cards remembering their Granny, Diana, for William.
“Whatever your circumstances, we are thinking of you this Mother’s Day.”3
“Dear Granny Diana, I am thinking of you on mother’s day. I love you very much. Papa is missing you. Lots of love Charlotte xxxxxxxxx,” Princess Charlotte’s card read.
Prince George wrote: “Dear granny Diana, Happy happy Mother’s Day. I love you very much and think of you always, sending lots of love from George xxxxx.”
Buckingham Palace also shared a message, writing: “Wishing Mothers everywhere, and those who might be missing their Mums today, a restful Mothering Sunday.”
The palace shared three photos, one of Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother; one of Queen Elizabeth II with her two eldest, King Charles and Princess Anne when they were young; and one of Queen Camilla with her late mother Rosalind Shand.
