Princes William and Harry are privately marking the 29th anniversary of their mother Princess Diana’s death on August 31, a day that has largely remained private for the royal siblings.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Page Six that Prince William traditionally treats the anniversary as a solemn occasion rather than one for public tribute. Schofield added that William speaks to his children about their “Granny Diana” to keep her memory alive. The brothers tend to focus on celebrating their mother’s life rather than drawing attention to the circumstances of her death.
Prince Harry has shared that his family honors Diana’s birthday and the anniversary of her death by eating her favorite dessert, lemon drizzle cake. However, Schofield does not anticipate the estranged brothers will reunite for the commemoration, noting that their appearance together would likely be framed as a narrative about Diana bringing her sons back together.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, at age 36. The vehicle, pursued by paparazzi, crashed into a column in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Diana’s driver, Henri Paul, and her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, died at the scene, while Diana succumbed to her injuries hours later.
Despite their current rift, the brothers have maintained their mother’s legacy through various initiatives. Both have spoken at the Diana Awards, which recognize youth-led innovation and humanitarian work inspired by the Princess of Wales. In 2022, Harry stated, "I see her legacy in all of you. I see her legacy in a Diana Award community that spans multiple generations. I see her legacy every time I meet with families, young people, and children from all corners of the world. And, I see my mum’s legacy when I look at my own children every day."
They also bring awareness to causes important to Diana. Prince William, 44, continues her work with Centrepoint, a charity for youth homelessness. Prince Harry, 41, supports wounded veterans through the Invictus Games Foundation, advocates for seriously ill children with WellChild, and championed HIV awareness through Sentebale, an organization he recently stepped down from. Both princes have credited Diana with instilling in them the importance of using their platforms to aid those in need.
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