12 ways Prince William and Prince Harry have kept Princess Diana's memory alive

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Talia LakritzJun 6, 2020, 23:07 IST
12 ways Prince William and Prince Harry have kept Princess Diana's memory alive

Princess Diana with Princes William and Harry on holiday in 1987.ASSOCIATED PRESS

  • Princess Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, continue to honor her legacy.
  • Both sons have incorporated tributes in their weddings.
  • Prince William and Kate Middleton named their daughter "Charlotte Elizabeth Diana."

Prince William and Prince Harry were young when Princess Diana died in a car accident — 15 and 12 years old, respectively.

"I remember just feeling completely numb, disorientated, dizzy," Prince William said in the BBC documentary "Diana, 7 Days That Shook the World." "You feel very, very confused. And you keep asking yourself, 'Why me?' All the time, 'Why? What have I done? Why? Why has this happened to us?'"

As they've grown up, gotten married, and stepped into their royal roles, Prince William and Prince Harry have continued their mother's legacy and paid tribute to her at important moments in their lives.

Here are 12 ways they've kept Princess Diana's memory alive.

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Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with the same ring Prince Charles proposed to Princess Diana with.

Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with the same ring Prince Charles proposed to Princess Diana with.
Kate Middleton and Prince William announce their engagement in 2010. Chris Jackson/Getty

The couple met as students at St Andrews University in Scotland.

Princess Diana picked the sapphire ring from a Garrard's catalogue.

Princess Diana picked the sapphire ring from a Garrard's catalogue.
A close-up of Kate Middleton's engagement ring. Getty/Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool

The ring is a 12-carat sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds. The ring cost $38,000 when Princess Diana picked it out, according to The Daily Mail. Today, it's priceless.

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Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle with a ring containing two diamonds from Princess Diana's collection.

Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle with a ring containing two diamonds from Princess Diana's collection.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement in 2017. Chris Jackson/Getty

It also contains a diamond from Botswana, where she and Prince Harry vacationed together.

The diamonds may have come from one of Princess Diana's diamond brooches.

The diamonds may have come from one of Princess Diana's diamond brooches.
A close-up of Meghan Markle's engagement ring. Getty Images

A representative from Cleave and Company told Insider that the jewelry company is "greatly honoured to have been of service and we wish Prince Henry and his fiancé the very best" but declined to comment further about which piece of Princess Diana's the diamonds came from.

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Meghan Markle carried a bouquet of flowers that included forget-me-nots — Princess Diana's favorite flower — when she married Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle carried a bouquet of flowers that included forget-me-nots — Princess Diana's favorite flower — when she married Prince Harry.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle share a kiss at the royal wedding. WPA Pool/Getty

Markle held the bouquet as she walked down the aisle of St George's Chapel.

Prince Harry picked the flowers himself from a private garden at Kensington Palace as a tribute to his mother on his wedding day.

Prince Harry picked the flowers himself from a private garden at Kensington Palace as a tribute to his mother on his wedding day.
The Princess Diana memorial "White Garden" at Kensington Palace. Jonathan Brady/PA

"The couple specifically chose them to be included in Ms. Markle's bouquet to honor the memory of the late Princess on this special day," said a statement from Kensington Palace, according to Town & Country.

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Prince Harry was "keen to involve his mother's family in his wedding," according to a statement from Kensington Palace.

Prince Harry was "keen to involve his mother's family in his wedding," according to a statement from Kensington Palace.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their wedding. Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Princess Diana's family played a key role in the royal wedding.

Lady Jane Fellowes, Princess Diana's older sister, gave a reading at their wedding ceremony, and all of Princess Diana's siblings were invited.

Lady Jane Fellowes, Princess Diana's older sister, gave a reading at their wedding ceremony, and all of Princess Diana's siblings were invited.
Lady Jane Fellowes (left) stands with Meghan Markle's mother Doria Ragland, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Fellowes read an excerpt from The Song of Solomon.

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Prince William also paid tribute to his mother at his royal wedding.

Prince William also paid tribute to his mother at his royal wedding.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding. AP

They tied the knot in 2011.

A hymn from Princess Diana's funeral was sung at their wedding service.

A hymn from Princess Diana's funeral was sung at their wedding service.
The royal wedding in 2011. WPA Pool/Getty Images

"Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer" was sung at her funeral and at their wedding as a tribute to Prince William's mother, according to Reuters.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recreated an iconic photo of Princess Diana.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recreated an iconic photo of Princess Diana.
Kate Middleton and Prince William in April 2016. Pool/Getty Images

The couple took a photo on a bench in front of the Taj Mahal on the final day of their royal tour to India and Bhutan in 2016.

It was the same bench that Princess Diana sat on back in 1992.

It was the same bench that Princess Diana sat on back in 1992.
Princess Diana in front of Taj Mahal. Tim Graham/Contributor/Getty Images

The Cambridges' senior advisor, Jason Knauf, said that Prince William felt "incredibly lucky to visit a place where his mother's memory is kept alive by so many who travel there."

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The princes and Kate Middleton also visited a special memorial garden at Kensington Palace the day before the 20th anniversary of her death.

The princes and Kate Middleton also visited a special memorial garden at Kensington Palace the day before the 20th anniversary of her death.
Visiting the Princess Diana Memorial Garden at Kensington Palace. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Middleton paid an additional tribute by wearing a dress that resembles one Princess Diana famously wore.

The garden had been one of Princess Diana's favorite places in the palace.

The garden had been one of Princess Diana's favorite places in the palace.
A memorial plaque for Princess Diana. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The garden was dedicated to her memory in 2017, 20 years after her death.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton named their daughter "Charlotte Elizabeth Diana."

Prince William and Kate Middleton named their daughter "Charlotte Elizabeth Diana."
Kate Middleton and Prince William greet photographers outside the hospital after the birth of Princess Charlotte. Getty/John Stillwell/WPA Pool

All of their children's names have special significance.

People think Princess Charlotte looks like a young Princess Diana.

People think Princess Charlotte looks like a young Princess Diana.
A young Princess Diana (left) and Princess Charlotte. Anonymous/AP Images and WPA Pool/Getty Images

The resemblance is uncanny.

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Prince William talks about "Granny Diana" when putting Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to bed.

Prince William talks about "Granny Diana" when putting Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to bed.
Princess Charlotte and Prince George leave with their father after Prince Louis' birth. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Prince William said in the HBO documentary "Diana, Our Mother" that it's important to him for his kids to know that there are two grandmothers.

Prince William imagines that she would be a "nightmare grandmother."

Prince William imagines that she would be a "nightmare grandmother."
Princess Diana was "a total kid through and through." AP

"Our mother was a total kid through and through," Prince Harry said in the documentary. "[...] One of her mottos to me was 'you can be as naughty as you want, just don't get caught.'"

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Prince William and Kate Middleton have asked Princess Diana's friends and relatives to be godparents to their children.

Prince William and Kate Middleton have asked Princess Diana's friends and relatives to be godparents to their children.
The Cambridges at Prince Louis' christening. WPA Pool/Getty Images

Godparents are announced at the christening service.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte both have godparents with connections to Princess Diana.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte both have godparents with connections to Princess Diana.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte in 2018. Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince George's godparents include Earl Grosvenor, son of Princess Diana's friend the Duchess of Westminster, and Julia Samuel, a close friend of Princess Diana's and founding patron of Child Bereavement UK, according to Harper's Bazaar. Princess Diana's niece Cynthia Jane Fellowes is one of Princess Charlotte's godparents.

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Both princes have continued their mother's charity work as patrons of multiple organizations.

Both princes have continued their mother's charity work as patrons of multiple organizations.
Prince William and Prince Harry met children as they attend the World Mental Health Day celebration with Heads Together in 2016 in London. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

They've continued to bring attention to homelessness, HIV, and mental health — issues that Princess Diana spoke out about as well.

Before Prince Harry and Markle rescinded their royal roles, the two couples spearheaded Heads Together, a campaign aimed to raise awareness on mental health, and launched a 24/7 hotline, Shout, which supports those "who need advice in a tough moment."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted delivering meals to critically ill people in West Hollywood, channeling the way Princess Diana would visit those in need.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted delivering meals to critically ill people in West Hollywood, channeling the way Princess Diana would visit those in need.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at a charity event in 2018. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Princess Diana would often show up at the London Lighthouse charity unannounced to meet with the sick and dying people there, according to the HBO documentary "Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy."

While they're no longer using their royal titles, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle volunteered with Project Angel Food to deliver meals to critically ill people.

"They wanted to help us relieve some of the drivers from their workload," Project Angel Food Executive Director Richard Ayoub told WeHoVille. "We loved having them and they are the most down-to-earth people."

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle paid tribute to Princess Diana on their Instagram.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle paid tribute to Princess Diana on their Instagram.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the MLB London Series game between Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in June. Dan Istitene - Pool/Getty Images

The royal couple shared an inspiring quote from Princess Diana on their joint account on August 9.

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."

In their caption, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrote, "Words have the power to inspire, which is why we're happy to share some of our favourite quotes.

From members of the public to public figures, from teachers and students to young leaders, we begin with a quote from Diana, Princess of Wales."

Next Story25 inspiring vintage photos of the LGBTQ community
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