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.