Prince William on Grief, Legacy, and Raising Compassionate Children
Prince William and Kate Middleton are raising their children—George, Charlotte, and Louis—to be kind, grounded, and aware of their privilege. Though they’ve faced challenges like Kate’s severe pregnancy illness, the couple has been fortunate. However, William recognizes that many families endure heartbreaking loss, especially of children.
At the 30th anniversary of Child Bereavement UK, where he has served as patron for 16 years, William spoke of the “growing need” to support grieving families. He called grief “the very worst pain” and praised the charity’s merger with Winston’s Wish to expand their reach.
William’s compassion stems from personal loss—his mother, Princess Diana, died when he was just 15. The trauma deeply shaped him. He recalls feeling numb and disoriented, and now honors her legacy by helping others and teaching his own children empathy.
Julia Samuel, a close friend of Diana and founder of Child Bereavement UK, says William inherited Diana’s warmth and sincerity. He continues her mission through his work and parenting, aiming to show his children the real world beyond royal privilege. He regularly discusses homelessness with them and encourages awareness from an early age, just as Diana did for him.
“My mother introduced me to the cause of homelessness from a young age,” William says. “It’s the right thing to do.”