William: I know what grief can do to a child
William opens his heart at charity Diana helped launch
PRINCE William paid a moving tribute to his mother last night at a fundraising dinner for a bereavement charity she supported before her tragic death aged 36.
The prince spoke of his admiration for Princess Diana and said: “Grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure.”
Speaking in London at the 21st birthday for Child Bereavement UK, William said: “Twenty-one years ago last month, my mother attended the launch of the Child Bereavement Charity.
“Fifteen years later, I was honoured to be invited to become Patron of Child Bereavement UK to continue my mother’s commitment to a charity which is very dear to me.
“What my mother recognised back then – and what I understand now – is that grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure.
“But my mother was determined to help those in need and she would have been immensely proud – as I am – of all that Child Bereavement UK has achieved these last 21 years.”
William, who was 15 when his mother was killed in a car crash in a Paris tunnel in 1997, added: “CBUK’s humanity is simply unparalleled. As a father to two young children, I appreciate it all the more.”
Gary Barlow performed at the event in Mansion House last night. His and wife Dawn’s daughter Poppy was stillborn in August 2012.
Gary said in a statement: “Dawn and I have always felt our own personal bereavement was too painful and private to talk or comment on publicly.
Instead I will sing joyous music in support of Child Bereavement UK to say thank you for all the help it has given us and many other families.”
The charity supports families and educates professionals when a child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
Earlier, William described his daughter Princess Charlotte as “lady-like” and her big brother George as “lively”.
The prince made his remarks on a visit to St John’s College, Cambridge, where he took a course in agricultural
management last year.
She would have been proud of all this charity has done in 21 years PRINCE WILLIAM ON HIS MOTHER’S LEGACY