Prince William's emotional promise to Princess Diana that he couldn't keep

Prince William once made a touching vow to his mother, Princess Diana, that moved her to tears during one of the darkest periods of her life.

When Diana and King Charles finalized their divorce in 1996, the princess lost the title of Her Royal Highness, something that deeply upset her despite keeping her title as Princess of Wales. 

At just 14 years old, William tried to comfort his mother with a heartfelt promise.

According to Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell, who was one of her closest confidantes, William reassured her: “Don’t worry Mummy, I will give it [the HRH title] back to you one day when I am King.” The sweet gesture reportedly brought Diana to tears.

Sadly, William never got the chance to fulfill his promise. Diana died tragically in a car crash in Paris in 1997, just a year after the divorce, when William was only 15.

Now 43, Prince William has never publicly spoken about the conversation, but he continues to honour Diana’s memory by championing causes close to her heart. 

Most notably, he has made tackling homelessness a central part of his royal work, echoing the values Diana instilled in both him and Prince Harry.

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