Prince William's 'greatest tribute' to late mum Diana on her heavenly 63rd birthday

Princess Diana was an influential public figure throughout the world whether that be for her selfless charity work and determination to make a difference or her iconic sense of style.

The late Princess of Wales, who was born on July 1 1961, would have just turned 63-years-old and would likely be celebrating with her two sons had it not been for her tragic death in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

The devoted mother-of-two left behind her two children, Prince William and Prince Harry, who have fought hard over the years to not let their mother's legacy fade as they have backed some of her favourite causes.

As the anniversary of Diana's birthday passes by, a leading royal expert has reflected on the personal relationship she shared with the late royal and how Prince William in particular will have dealt with marking the day, OK! reports.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!: "There have been times in this past year when William has looked incredibly alone, shouldering the responsibility of being a son whose father has cancer, a husband caring for his wife as she also deals with cancer, a father of three young children... and who has no brother or mother to turn to for a bit of TLC.

Speaking of her private meetings with the princess over the years, Jennie said: "That was the phrase that Diana used so often, especially in our chats together at Kensington Palace.

"She always said that she was incredibly good at giving tender loving care, and she obviously would have given that in buckets full to her darling son.

"There are other members of the family who have given William all the support they can, but nothing really replaces a loving mother who will protect and guide you.

"William has now lived without his mother for a great deal longer than he had her at his side. He has often spoken about the loss of a parent and how the pain never really goes away. She is always in his thoughts and that will be true more than ever on the anniversary of her birthday."

During the 2017 ITV documentary 'Diana, Our Mother' William spoke candidly about the tragedy that killed his mother and how it has influenced who he is today.

He said: "It’ll either make or break you. And I wouldn’t let it break me, I wanted it to make me. I wanted her to be proud of the person I'd become.

"I didn't want her worried or her legacy to be, you know, that William and/or Harry were completely and utterly devastated by it."

Elsewhere in the same interview, the Prince of Wales recalled how he felt when he stepped outside of Kensington Palace to greet the crowds and see the flowers and messages left for his mother after the news of her death broke.

He said: "People wanted to grab us, to touch us. They were shouting, wailing, literally wailing at us, throwing flowers, and yelling, sobbing, breaking down, people fainted, collapsed. It was a very alien environment.

"I couldn’t understand why everyone wanted to cry as loud as they did and show such emotion as they did when they didn’t really know our mother.

"I did feel a bit protective at times about that. You didn’t even know her – why and how are you so upset? Now looking back, I have learnt to understand what it was she gave the world and what she gave a lot of people."

In the years since her death, William has proven how much his mother's memory means to him by working hard to ensure that her work and legacy lives on in his own three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Jennie said: "William’s greatest tribute to his mother is his determination to carry on her legacy, particularly on issues such as homelessness and mental health.

"And he is bringing his children up with the same values that Diana instilled in him. Diana was always in her absolute element when she was dealing with people in trouble or need.

"She loved to spend time with anyone who was suffering ill health, and I’m sure she would have devoted herself to helping her daughter in law get stronger and making children feel safe. Luckily, they have another granny who is equally devoted – Kate's own mother, Carole."

Discussing how William will likely feel as the anniversary passes by once again, Jennie opined: "The anniversary is obviously always a very sensitive time for William and it is such a shame that he cannot share his feelings with the only other human being on earth who really knows what it was like to lose Diana: his brother, Harry.

"But I’m sure the princess would be immensely proud to see how courageously William has faced up to all that has happened in the past few months."

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