Gina Heslop
Prince William has always held his mother, Princess Diana, in high regard, especially for how she tried to raise him and his brother, Prince Harry, with a sense of normalcy despite their royal status.
Diana’s influence on William is clear, as he is now following her example in raising his own children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, with values that are as close to everyday life as possible.
Diana was known for her unique parenting style, which focused on making William and Harry feel like ordinary kids. She would sometimes sneak them out of the palace to enjoy simple pleasures, like going to McDonald’s, not for the food but for the toys.
She also took them to theme parks and other fun outings, showing them that joy wasn’t limited to their royal lives. Her aim was to shield them from some of the strictness of royal life and let them experience the world beyond the palace walls. This approach helped them grow with a broader understanding of life and empathy for others.
One touching example of Diana’s parenting was shared through a letter she wrote in 1985, which described how much William adored his baby brother, Harry. Diana’s letter, auctioned in 2017, showed her joy as a mother and gave insight into her life’s challenges. It’s clear that her way of raising her children included balancing love and a strong sense of duty to others.
William continues Diana’s legacy by instilling the same values in his children, aiming to give them a balanced life between royal responsibilities and normal childhood experiences.
He and his wife, Kate Middleton, encourage their children to express themselves openly and joyfully in public, which is unusual for royal family members. According to body language expert Judi James, William and Kate make a conscious effort to let their children be playful, showing pride when they do so.
Diana’s dedication to humanitarian causes also made an impression on William, especially regarding homelessness. Diana introduced him to the issue at a young age, even taking him and Harry to a homeless shelter to help them understand the struggles others face.
William is continuing this tradition by talking to his children about homelessness, explaining why they sometimes see people sitting outside supermarkets or on the streets, and helping them understand that not everyone has the same privileges they do.
William has expressed his gratitude for the love he felt from his mother and has made it clear he wants to pass that same love and understanding to his children. In 2021, on what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday, William and Harry unveiled a statue of their mother, celebrating her life and the values she instilled in them.
Through his own family, William is trying to carry on Diana’s legacy of compassion, empathy, and humility.
By showing George, Charlotte, and Louis a life that respects both royal traditions and everyday experiences, he hopes to prepare them for their future roles while remaining grounded and compassionate, just as Diana would have wanted.
