How Princess Charlotte learned about Princess Diana through bedtime stories and handwritten cards
Prince William keeps Diana's memory alive for his children, with Princess Charlotte showing striking similarities to her late grandmother.
Though Princess Diana never met her grandchildren, her presence lives on in their lives—especially through stories from Prince William and touching tributes from Princess Charlotte.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in 1997, leaving behind Prince William and Prince Harry, who were just 15 and 12 at the time. Decades later, her memory remains central to her family’s life—particularly for William’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Now ten years old, Princess Charlotte has become a subject of fascination for royal fans, many of whom believe she bears a strong resemblance to her grandmother. From her jawline to her expressions, social media users often point out Charlotte’s similarities to Diana, even noting the “Spencer Stare”—a shy, upward glance through the lashes—that Diana was known for.
How do William’s children know Diana?
While Diana never met her grandchildren, Prince William has made sure they know who she was. In a 2017 documentary, he shared that he tells stories about her during bedtime.
“We’ve got more photos up around the house now of her, and we talk about her a bit,” William said. “I regularly, putting George or Charlotte to bed, talk about her and just try and remind them that there were two grandmothers in their lives.”
Since then, William and Kate have helped their children express those connections in personal ways. Each year on Mother’s Day, George, Charlotte, and Louis create homemade cards for “Granny Diana.” In 2023, Charlotte wrote, “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.”
Teaching values Diana believed in
William isn’t only passing down memories—he’s also continuing Diana’s approach to parenting. Just as Diana once took her sons to homeless shelters to teach them about life beyond the palace walls, William is doing the same with his children.
“My mother introduced me to the cause of homelessness from quite a young age, and I’m really glad she did,” he told The Sunday Times. He often discusses social inequality with his children during car rides through London, pointing out people sitting outside shops and sparking conversations about compassion and responsibility.
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl has noted that this kind of parenting reflects both Diana’s and King Charles’ desire to raise children who understand the real world. “William and Kate’s children are probably more aware of homelessness than most children from privileged backgrounds,” she said.
Diana’s presence lives on through her grandchildren
Princess Charlotte may never have met her grandmother, but through photographs, stories, and personal tributes, Diana is a familiar figure in her young life. And in moments both quiet and public, William continues to make sure that Diana’s memory—and values—are passed on to the next generation.
