Diana, Princess of Wales, remains one of the most beloved figures in modern royal history. Decades after her tragic death in 1997, her legacy continues to shape the British royal family, particularly through her eldest son, Prince William, and his family.
Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, have made conscious and meaningful efforts to keep Diana’s memory alive for their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. This article explores how they have chosen to honor Diana’s legacy in their family life, through names, traditions, storytelling, and personal tributes.
Sources include the Royal Family’s official website (royal.uk), BBC News, Reuters, The Guardian, and other reputable outlets.
Diana’s Impact on Prince William
Diana, Princess of Wales, was known for her compassionate, hands-on approach to parenting. She sought to give her sons, Princes William and Harry, experiences that connected them to the everyday world, breaking with certain royal traditions to ensure they had a more grounded upbringing.
William has often credited his mother’s example with shaping his own approach to fatherhood. In interviews, he has spoken about wanting to raise his children with the same sense of warmth, empathy, and understanding Diana offered him and his brother.
Source: BBC News
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Naming Their Daughter After Diana
One of the most visible tributes William and Catherine have made is in the naming of their second child. Princess Charlotte was born on May 2, 2015, and given the full name Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
This name honors both William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his late mother, Princess Diana. Including Diana in Charlotte’s name was widely seen as a heartfelt gesture to keep her memory present within the family for future generations.
Source: The Guardian
The Sapphire Engagement Ring
Another enduring tribute to Diana in William and Catherine’s marriage is the engagement ring. When William proposed in 2010, he offered Catherine his mother’s iconic blue sapphire and diamond ring.
This was the same ring Prince Charles had given to Diana in 1981. By choosing this ring, William described his wish to make sure his mother was part of the occasion, despite her absence.
Source: BBC News
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Public References and Personal Memories
William and Catherine have spoken publicly about Diana’s ongoing influence on their family. In a 2017 ITV documentary marking the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death, William said he regularly talks about “Granny Diana” with his children so they know who she was and the values she stood for.
He described how important it is that George, Charlotte, and Louis understand they have two grandmothers, and that Diana remains a part of their family story.
Source: ITV
Sharing Stories About Diana
William has emphasized the importance of telling his children about their late grandmother through personal stories and photographs. He has described how he and Catherine include Diana in bedtime discussions, making sure their children know about her kindness, compassion, and sense of duty.
This gentle, age-appropriate storytelling helps keep Diana’s spirit alive in the family’s everyday life without overwhelming the children.
Source: BBC
Family Photos and Keepsakes
The Wales family home includes photographs of Diana that the children can see. William has said that displaying these images helps his children develop a sense of connection with the grandmother they never met.
This approach ensures Diana remains a natural and acknowledged part of family life, rather than a distant or hidden memory.
Source: ITV
Teaching Compassion and Empathy
Beyond symbols and names, William and Catherine focus on passing down the values Diana embodied. William has said he feels a strong responsibility to raise his children with empathy, kindness, and awareness of those less fortunate—qualities Diana was famous for championing.
The couple’s work on mental health awareness and early childhood development also reflects Diana’s own interests in improving wellbeing and breaking down stigma.
Source: Royal.uk
Public Events and Tributes
While William and Catherine have always prioritized their children’s privacy, they have participated in carefully chosen public tributes to Diana. For example, in 2021, William and Harry jointly unveiled a statue of Diana at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden to mark what would have been her 60th birthday.
Though their children were not present at this event, the statue offers a place where they can visit in the future to pay respects to their grandmother in a meaningful, public way.
Source: Reuters
Focusing on Privacy and Balance
William and Catherine are known for protecting their children’s privacy while introducing them carefully to royal duties. This approach aligns with Diana’s belief in giving her sons as normal a childhood as possible.
The family’s move from Kensington Palace to Windsor’s Adelaide Cottage is widely understood to offer more privacy, outdoor space, and a less formal environment for the children to grow up in.
Source: BBC
Continuing Diana’s Legacy Through Service
Beyond family life, William and Catherine’s public work continues Diana’s focus on humanitarian issues. They have championed mental health initiatives, early childhood development, and homelessness charities—causes that echo Diana’s own advocacy.
Through these projects, William and Catherine ensure that Diana’s spirit of compassion and service lives on in their family’s public role.
Source: Royal.uk
Conclusion
Diana, Princess of Wales, remains an enduring presence in the hearts of her family and the public. Prince William and Catherine have chosen many thoughtful, authentic ways to keep her memory alive for their children, ensuring that George, Charlotte, and Louis know who their grandmother was and the values she cherished.
From naming Princess Charlotte in Diana’s honor to sharing personal stories, maintaining family photos, and continuing her charitable legacy, the Wales family demonstrates how love and remembrance can shape new generations. Through these meaningful acts, Diana’s influence continues to shine, offering inspiration to people in the UK and around the world.
