PRINCESS Diana left an inimitable legacy following her tragic death 27 years ago.

Not only does her force-of-nature “Diana effect” live on through the charity work she did but Princess Kate keeps her memory alive in numerous ways, says royal legend Jennie Bond.

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This month is the 27th anniversary of Princess Diana’s tragic deathCredit: Getty

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This beautiful shot of the Wales family at Anmer Hall shows Kate giving Charlotte a piggybackCredit: Matt Porteous

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Diana also ‘broke tradition’ to give William a fun piggybackCredit: Getty – Contributor
Prince William himself stated that “Catherine will carve her own destiny and make her own future”, but there are ways she keeps “Diana’s memory very much alive”, claims Jennie.

The former BBC royal correspondent told Fabulous: “I don’t think Catherine thinks every day, ‘I must emulate my mother-in-law.’

“Of course, she never knew Diana, but she has stated publicly that she is inspired by her, finding her an inspirational woman.

“I think we have to remember that both William and Catherine are keen to keep Diana’s memory very much alive, particularly for the children—the granny they never knew.”

Here are some of the ways that Princess Kate respectfully pays tribute to the powerhouse mother-in-law she never met…

1) £390K ENGAGEMENT RING

Jennie pointed out that Prince William was keen to pay tribute to his mother when he proposed to his university sweetheart in October 2010 in Kenya.

The royal prince popped the question with arguably the most iconic ring in the royal family – his mother’s 12-carat sapphire engagement ring.

He told ITV: “It’s my mother’s engagement ring and it’s very special to me, as Kate is very special to me now as well.

“It was only right the two were put together.

He continued: “It was my way of making sure mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement and the fact that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.”

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Kate was given Diana’s sapphire engagement ring when William proposedCredit: AP:Associated Press

Diana’s ring had belonged to Prince Harry but he reportedly selflessly sacrificed this to let William use it for KateCredit: Getty – Contributor

2) MIRRORED PARENTING

The royal expert claims there are “lots of similarities in the way that William and Catherine are bringing up their kids, similar to how Diana broke the mould.”

One of Princess Diana’s main focuses was on splitting “play days and work days” for William and Harry.

Jennie shared: “She [Diana] sat in a drawing room telling me how she wanted these royal princes to have an upbringing that was unlike any other royal princes before them.

“There would be play days and work days, she said.

“She loved to give them on their play days the opportunity to wear what they wanted—jeans, baseball caps, eat a burger smothered in ketchup, or go go-karting, just laugh about and have fun.

“ But she understood that they must learn as royal princes that they have to wear suits and ties and behave in that way on work days.

“I don’t think Catherine and William divide it like that, but I think they both have that idea that they want their children to enjoy something outside the strictures of royal life.”

Jennie pointed out how the Prince and Princess of Wales have “made their children the absolute priority”, even when they have been “criticised” for it.

She explained: “William has certainly taken quite a lot of criticism for putting his family before his perceived duty.

“I applaud him. I think it’s fantastic that he and Catherine want to bring up these children in a bubble of love and fun and laughter, while always acknowledging that their futures are going to be very different from most other kids on the block.”

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Kate has been pictured numerous times enjoying a laugh with her childrenCredit: Splash News

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Diana also enjoyed a warm relationship with Harry and WilliamCredit: Rex Features

3) KATE AND DI’S GOLDEN RULE

Kate’s golden rule for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis is about kindness.

According to HELLO! Online’s Royal Correspondent: “Based on observations of photographs of Princess Diana at the time, and the current Princess of Wales, they are both very affectionate with their children.

“Kate is often seen holding her children’s hands or picking them up for cuddles when they were smaller.

“There are often lots of comforting gestures, such as a pat on the back or stroking their hair.

“When interacting with other children on her public engagements, Kate often crouches down to their level to engage with them – something that Diana would often do.”

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Kate likes to get down on eye level to comfort her kids if they are upsetCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Diana was also a fan of playing and interacting with her boys at eye-levelCredit: Getty – Contributor

4) FASHION NODS

When Princess Kate presented Prince Louis to the world outside the Lindo Wing in 2018 in a red Jenny Packham dress, it was the spitting image of the frock Diana wore following the birth of Prince Harry in 1984.

And it’s not the first time she has taken style inspiration from Diana…

When Kate welcomed Prince George, in 2013, she wore a blue spotted Jenny Packham dress, which was very similar to the gown Diana wore as she presented newborn Prince William.

Meanwhile, in 2022, Kate wowed onlookers at Royal Ascot as she arrived in a stunning polka dot dress that was remarkably similar to one worn by Diana.

The Princess of Wales has regularly been pictured in Diana’s jewellery pieces – from necklaces to tiaras.

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Kate wore this gorgeous red dress as she introduced her third child to the worldCredit: Rex Features

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She was the spitting image of Prince William’s late mum Diana after the birth of Prince Harry in 1984Credit: Photoshot

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The Princess of Wales paid a touching tribute to Princess Diana at King Charles’ coronation, wearing her diamond and pearl earrings

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Princess Diana wearing the extravagant earringsCredit: Getty

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Kate looked radiant at Royal Ascot in 2021 as she attended with husband Prince WilliamCredit: PA

Diana wore a very similar ensemble to Ascot in 1988Credit: Getty

5) MILESTONE EVENTS

Aside from subtle tributes, William and Harry ensure they keep Diana’s legacy going within their own families.

Royal fans were moved as Princess Charlotte and  Princes George and Louis wrote touching Mothers’ Day cards to ‘Granny Diana’ in 2021, which were shared online.

In a heartbreaking note, written on green paper, Prince George wrote: “Dear Granny Diana. Happy Mother’s Day. I love you very much and think of you always.

“Sending lots of love from George.”

Meanwhile Princess Charlotte wrote in a pink card with a colourful heart drawn on the front: “Dear Granny Diana. I am thinking of you on Mother’s Day.

“I love you very much. Papa is missing you.

“Lots of love Charlotte. Xxx.”

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Prince George and Princess Charlotte write Mothers Day card to ‘Granny Diana’Credit: kensingtonroyal/Instagram

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The Wales family often pay tribute to Diana at milestone eventsCredit: AP

6)CHRISTMAS CARDS

Last December, the Prince and Princess of Wales revealed their elegant family Christmas card and a royal whizz claimed it was a poignant nod to Diana.

The stylish black-and-white snap of Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children showed the fashionable family in matching white shirts and dark trousers.

Royal fan @matta_of_fact was quick to point out a possible link to Princess Diana with the photo choice.

She claimed: “They are hearkening very strongly to the nineties in this photo, which, when you think of the royals and the nineties, where do you immediately go… Princess Diana.

“So many black and white photoshoots of Diana exist.”

The royal fan pointed out that Diana and her two boys, Prince William and Prince Harry, had dressed for photoshoots together in a “Ralph Lauren aesthetic” similar to the new Christmas card attire.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton have released their Christmas card for 2023Credit: Josh Shinner

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TikToker @matta_of_fact claims the card gave a nod back to Diana, who had number black and white photoshootsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

7) PRINCESS OF WALES LEGACY

Following the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death, King Charles bestowed a new title upon Kate – the ‘Princess of Wales’ honour.

Understandably, given Princess Diana had last held the title, Prince William’s wife thought “long and hard” before taking it on, claims Jennie.

In his new royal book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, biographer Robert Jobson alleged that the “prospect of becoming the Princess of Wales held little appeal.”

He wrote of Kate’s views ahead of her 2011 royal wedding wedding: “She knew she’d inevitably be compared with Diana, whose untimely death had provoked such a tsunami of anger and grief.

“And she was right. The similarities and differences between the two women were dissected ad infinitum, and even discussed in the royal household.”

Jennie echoed those thoughts saying: “We talk about the Princess of Wales, and that was a title that was a very difficult one for Camilla to even consider taking on.

“I don’t think she did consider for a moment being called Princess of Wales, though she was entitled to do so.

“I think Catherine thought long and hard about it before taking the title Princess of Wales.

“I think Catherine was somewhat nervous about taking on the Princess of Wales title, and totally understandable.”

However, Jennie claims that Princess Kate has gone on to make “that role and title her own for the current generation.”

She added: “This is a new era, a new century, a new generation, and we have a new princess, a new Princess of Wales.

“Personally, I think she’s absolutely brilliant at the role. I’m sorry we haven’t seen much of her this year, for clear reasons.

“But for the younger generation, Princess of Wales is Catherine.”

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Kate borrowed same sentimental necklace Princess Diana wore in 1982 at the Queen and Prince Phillip’s 70th wedding anniversary dinner in 2017

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Prince William gave a pair of his mum’s diamond and sapphire gem earrings in 2011. Diana wore the drop earrings at dozens of events in the ­1980s and 1990s

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When Kate visited the Assyakirin Mosque in Malaysia in 2012, she wore a similar pale headscarf to Diana in Pakistan in 1996