IT’S been 27 years since Princess Diana tragically passed away – but her legacy is still as strong as ever today.
According to a royal expert, the Prince and Princess of Wales honour the late royal’s memory with their kids in a number of poignant ways.
Speaking to Fabulous, royal author Phil Dampier said: “Kate always makes sure her kids know all about Diana especially on anniversaries such as her birthday or death.
“Her mum Carole is very close to George, Charlotte and Louis and of course she is the grandmother they have grown up with while sadly they never met Diana.
“Neither did Kate and she said on the day she got engaged to William that she would have loved to.
“They keep her memory alive in many ways.
“I’m sure they will feel her influence as they grow up.”
Here’s how William and Kate help their kids pay tribute to the grandma they never met…
Homemade cards to ‘Granny Diana’
On milestone occasions, we’ve seen the young royals writing homemade cards to Diana.
Royal fans were moved as Princess Charlotte and Princes George and Louis wrote touching Mothers’ Day cards to ‘Granny Diana’ in 2021, which were shared online.
In a heartbreaking note, written on green paper, Prince George wrote: “Dear Granny Diana. Happy Mother’s Day. I love you very much and think of you always.
“Sending lots of love from George.”
Meanwhile Princess Charlotte wrote in a pink card with a colourful heart drawn on the front: “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. Xxx.”
Take kids to the grave
The People’s Princess tragically died in a car crash on August 31, 1997, and poignant photographs show her peaceful final resting place at her childhood home.
Her grave is nestled on an island in the beautiful Oval Lake at Althorp House, Northampton.
Understandably, the grave holds great significance for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Phil claimed: “William and Kate have taken the kids to Diana’s grave at Althorp and it must be very poignant when they do so.”
Harry revealed in his memoir Spare that he took his wife, Meghan Markle, to his mother’s final resting place in 2022, where they each had a private moment.
He wrote: “I was finally bringing the girl of my dreams home so she would meet my mother.”
Carole and Michael’s role
Not only do William and Kate honour Diana at home, but also Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton do too.
Phil added: “Carole and her husband Michael obviously remember Diana as the icon she was and can tell the children all about her good works.”
Mirrored parenting
Kate’s golden rule for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis is about kindness.
According to HELLO! Online’s Royal Correspondent: “Based on observations of photographs of Princess Diana at the time, and the current Princess of Wales, they are both very affectionate with their children.
“Kate is often seen holding her children’s hands or picking them up for cuddles when they were smaller.
“There are often lots of comforting gestures, such as a pat on the back or stroking their hair.
“When interacting with other children on her public engagements, Kate often crouches down to their level to engage with them – something that Diana would often do.”
Everything you need to know about Princess Diana's final years
AFTER years of separation, Prince (now King) Charles and Princess Diana divorced in 1996.
In 1997, Princess Diana spent her summer in the south of France and Italy. During August, she visited Sarajevo, Bosnia, to highlight the fight against landmines.
By the end of the month, the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al-Fayed travelled to Paris together.
It was revealed that Princess Diana stayed longer than planned in Paris due to a row over her land mine campaign.
Travelling in a black Mercedes Benz, Princess Diana was involved in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel on August 31, 1997.
The Princess of Wales died at the age of 36.
Her funeral was held on September 6, 1997. As her coffin made the journey from Kensington Palace to Westminister Abbey, Prince William and Prince Harry walked behind their late mother.
Princess Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd, and sisters, Jane Fellowes and Sarah McCorquodale, also attended the funeral.
The Princess of Wales was buried at her childhood home – Althorp House
If it wasn’t for her tragic death, Princess Diana would have been 62 today.