Prince William has shared a deeply personal tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, by releasing a never-before-seen photograph from his private family collection to mark Mother’s Day in the UK.
The touching image shows Diana – who would have turned 65 this year – holding a two-year-old William in a field of flowers at the family’s Highgrove home in Gloucestershire in 1984. The intimate photograph, which has never previously been made public, offers a rare glimpse into the warm bond between the late Princess of Wales and her eldest son during his early childhood.
Accompanying the picture, the Prince of Wales wrote a heartfelt message reflecting both his own memories and the feelings of others who may be missing loved ones on the special day. He wrote: “Remembering my mother, today and every day. Thinking of all those who are remembering someone they love today. Happy Mother’s Day. W.”
Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 when William was just 15 years old. Since then, the prince has continued to honour her memory each year on Mother’s Day, often sharing rare family photos along with emotional tributes.
Prince Harry has also commemorated the day in the past by arranging for flowers to be laid at his mother’s grave at the Althorp estate.
In recent years, William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, have also helped their own children remember the grandmother they never had the chance to meet. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have previously created handmade Mother’s Day cards addressed to “Granny Diana” as part of the family’s quiet tradition of remembrance.
The wider Royal Family also shared its own Mother’s Day message online. The official royal account posted historic photographs including one of Queen Elizabeth II with the Queen Mother, another showing the late Queen with Princess Anne and then-Prince Charles alongside one of her beloved corgis, and a warm image of Queen Camilla with her late mother Rosalind Shand.
Alongside the photos, the caption read: “Wishing Mothers everywhere, and those who might be missing their Mums today, a restful Mothering Sunday.”
William’s tribute came just days after he and Princess Kate delighted crowds during a series of engagements in London. The royal couple made an unannounced stop at Borough Market before heading to Bermondsey for a lively visit along the famous “beer mile.”
Fans flocked to greet them in what some described as “Walesmania,” eager for selfies and handshakes with the Princess of Wales. But throughout the outing, it appeared William had his attention fixed firmly on his wife.
Kate spoke candidly during the visit about giving up alcohol following her cancer diagnosis, while William listened proudly beside her. The couple also shared playful moments while trying their hand at brewing beer and even took part in a pint-pulling competition, with William praising his wife’s beekeeping skills and joking that she “knows a lot.”
As they departed the RNLI Tower Lifeboat Station later that day, one well-wisher called out warmly: “Happy Mother’s Day, Catherine!”
Earlier in the day, Kate appeared to subtly honour her late mother-in-law by wearing a pair of Cartier Trinity hoop earrings. The elegant design – first created by Louis Cartier in the 1920s – features three interlocking bands, which are thought to represent Kate and William’s three children.
The jewellery also carries sentimental meaning within the royal family. Princess Diana was known to adore the Trinity collection and frequently wore a distinctive Trinity ring on her little finger.
Royal commentator Richard Kay, who was a close confidant of Diana in the final years of her life, recently reflected on the princes’ childhood. Speaking on Palace Confidential, he recalled that Diana once believed William might never have wanted the burden of kingship.
He said: “William has been a bit of a surprise. Certainly when his mother was still alive, he was a shy young man. Diana used to tell me she never really thought that William wanted the top job.”
Kay added that Diana once jokingly referred to Harry as “Good King Harry,” suggesting she imagined a future where her younger son might one day take the throne.
But history unfolded differently. Kay concluded: “Of course, things didn’t work out like that. I think we’re all rather grateful that they haven’t worked out like that. I think the consensus is that we got the right one. We’ve got the right one in William as Prince of Wales.”
