It’s been nearly 20 years since Prince William and Prince Harry lost their mum Diana, Princess of Wales, in a tragic car accident. But during a recent royal visit, William comforted a little girl, telling her that he too had lost a parent when he was very young.
According to the Daily Mail, William and wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the Child Bereavement UK Centre in Stratford. It was marking its one-year anniversary.
The organisation provides support for children and families when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing personal loss.
Sadly, this is something that the prince knows all too well, having spent the past 20 years without a mum. In this time, he has married and had two children of his own, sadly without his mother by his side.
The royal pair stopped and spoke to many children, including Aoife. The prince spoke gently and quietly to her despite being surrounded by photographers and film crew.
He knelt down and attempted to comfort the nine-year-old grieving for her father saying:
According to the Daily Mail in the UK, the prince urged Aoife, whose father John died from pancreatic cancer six years ago, not to bottle-up her loss.
“Do you speak about your daddy? It’s very important to talk about it. Very, very important.”
“Very Emotional Meeting”, Says Widow
Aoife’s mother, Marie, said afterwards: “I couldn’t believe it when he started to talk about his mother. It was very emotional and I was willing myself not to start to cry. I almost did.
“I am telling my children that if they take anything away from this day, it is what he said about how important it is to talk. Kids do not forget that.
“Sometimes it hurts but we can remember the happy things too. It is so important to talk.” William has been a Royal Patron of Child Bereavement UK since 2009 and supports the work undertaken by the charity.
Child Bereavement UK was established in 1994 in the presence of Diana, Princess of Wales, whose best friend, Julia Samuel, is Founder Patron of the organisation.
If you feel you want to speak to someone about your loss, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
