Prince of Wales marks 30 years of Child Bereavement UK, continuing his mother’s legacy of compassion
Prince William has honoured one of Princess Diana’s most cherished causes with a deeply personal gesture, quietly hosting a private dinner at Windsor Castle to mark the 30th anniversary of Child Bereavement UK.
The event, held on May 13, was listed in the Court Circular, which read: “The Prince of Wales, Patron, this evening gave a Dinner at Windsor Castle for Child Bereavement UK’s Thirtieth Anniversary.”
The charity, co-founded by Diana’s close friend Julia Samuel — now godmother to Prince George — supports families and children coping with the loss of a loved one. Prince William became its patron in 2009, continuing a legacy that closely mirrors his late mother’s commitment to emotional wellbeing and grief support.
While the dinner remained low-key, the significance of the occasion was clear. During a visit to the charity’s Widnes centre earlier this year, William spoke openly about his own experience of grief, saying: “Sometimes the hardest thing about grief is finding the words for how you actually feel.”
He added, “It’s crucial for those first few years… you have support like this,” acknowledging how profoundly loss can affect a child’s ability to function in everyday life.
In 2017, William offered comfort to a young girl grieving the death of her father by gently relating his own loss: “I lost my mummy when I was very young too… It’s very important to talk about it.”
As patron and advocate, the Prince of Wales continues to build on Diana’s legacy, ensuring her empathy and advocacy live on in the work he supports.
