Princess Diana sadly passed away before she ever had the chance to meet her grandchildren—from Prince Harry’s children, Archie and Lilibet, to Prince William’s three kids, George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Yet, a playful and heartfelt tradition that Diana began long before their births has lived on, thanks to one of Prince George’s godparents.
Both William and Harry have shared how they honor their mother’s memory, keeping her spirit alive through stories and photos since her tragic passing in 1997.
One of George’s godparents has continued a charming tradition Diana started years ago with her own children—adding a touch of mischief and love to her godson’s life.
Prince George’s Godparents
Prince George has seven godparents: Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel, William van Cutsem, Zara Tindall, and the Duke of Westminster. His christening took place at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace on October 13, 2013.
Among them, Julia Samuel—a close friend of Diana—has shared insights into her special bond with George. Julia met Diana at a dinner party in 1987 and remained close to her ever since.
Speaking with The Guardian, she said, “I feel lucky I was such a good friend of Princess Diana. And I really love my godson, George. It’s a lovely way of loving her.”
Reflecting on Diana’s death, she added, “I was angry and shocked when she died. I couldn’t understand it at the time. I now understand that people really felt they knew her and loved her. But even today, I still feel sad.”
A Cheeky Tradition Lives On
zJulia has spoken in the past about the fun, slightly mischievous tradition Diana used to share with her children—gifting them noisy, hard-to-assemble toys. And now, Julia carries that playful legacy forward with Prince George.
In an appearance on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, Julia revealed, “So I do to George what she did to us—which is give impossible toys that are really noisy and take a lot of making.”
She laughed as she added, “I arrive slightly weighed down by the size of the present that William then has to spend days putting together. It has flashing lights, makes awful tooting sounds… It makes me laugh, and it makes George laugh.”
It’s a gesture that reflects Diana’s playful side—one that surely would’ve delighted in bringing joy to her grandchildren.
William Keeps Diana’s Legacy Alive
Prince William has also shared how he keeps his mother’s legacy present in the lives of his children. Speaking in the documentary Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, he reflected on how Diana shaped his values.
“I have taken some guidance from what my mother did,” he said. “When I was very small, my mother started talking about homelessness—much like I do now with my children on the school run.”
He recalled moments during his childhood when he would see people living on the streets and ask Diana about them, showing how her compassion and activism left a lasting impression.
Although Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, long before she could meet her grandchildren, her presence continues to shape their lives—through the stories told by their father and the loving traditions kept alive by those who knew her best.
