Princess Diana tragically never had the chance to meet her grandchildren. Today, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s three kids—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are growing up in the UK, while Prince Harry and Meghan raise their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in the U.S.
Though the beloved “people’s princess” never had a chance to embrace her grandchildren, her spirit and influence continue to shine brightly in their lives. Observers have noted some striking resemblances between the children’s traits and the late princess’s mannerisms, and Prince William has shared heartfelt stories about how his children have come to know their grandmother through the tales he tells them.
William and Harry faced the profound loss of their mother during their teenage years when Diana passed away in a tragic car accident in Paris in 1997. The world mourned her sudden departure, but her legacy has endured. As her grandchildren are growing up, the eldest, Prince George, is on a path to one day become king.
Princess Lilibet, at just four years old, is still finding her way in the world, making it hard to see if she resembles Diana. However, Princess Charlotte, who recently celebrated her tenth birthday, has already captured fans’ hearts with her apparent similarities to her grandmother. One of Diana’s signature looks—glancing up through her eyelashes with a slight tilt of her head, now famously known as the “Spencer Stare”—is something many see reflected in Charlotte.
On social media, people have remarked how much Charlotte mirrors Diana, especially seen in a photograph from King Charles’ coronation. One fan wrote, “The little princess looks so much like her grandmother Diana, beautiful as ever.”
While William’s children never got to share physical moments with Diana, he has ensured her memory stays alive. He has incorporated stories of her into their bedtime routines, explaining, “We’ve got more photos of her around the house now, and we talk about her.” He acknowledges that Catherine, who never met his mother, can’t share the same anecdotes, so he steps in to ensure they know about both of their grandmothers.
On Mother’s Day, 2021, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis created touching cards for their late grandmother. The royal family shared these heartfelt creations on Twitter, emphasizing that every year, the children keep her memory alive. In 2023, Charlotte’s card read, “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.”
King William is also inspired by Diana’s parenting style, aiming to instill in his children the same values she held dear. He feels strongly that it’s crucial for George, Charlotte, and Louis to understand the realities of life beyond the palace. William wants them to know that not everyone shares their privileges. He plans to introduce them to causes such as homelessness, just as Diana did with him and Harry when they were young.
In a candid interview with the Sunday Times, he expressed his commitment to exposing his children to these pressing issues, saying, “I think it’s the right thing to do, to expose the children, at the right stage, in the right dialogue.”
Royal expert Katie Nicholl remarked that William’s approach to parenting echoes both Diana and Charles’s desire to ground their sons in reality. “William and Kate’s children are likely more aware of homelessness than most young ones from privileged backgrounds,” she noted, crediting their efforts to keep the kids’ eyes wide open to the world around them.
It’s clear that even though Princess Diana is no longer with us, her legacy lives on in her grandchildren and through the loving stories that keep her memory alive. What’s your favorite memory of Princess Diana? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
