Tuesday, 18 November, 2025
London, UK
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 10:05 PM
broken clouds 5.1°C
Condition: Broken clouds
Humidity: 90%
Wind Speed: 14.8 km/h

Prince William “Was Aghast” at Princess Diana’s Actions in the ’90s and Vowed to Avoid “Pain and Royal Dramas” With His Own Kids

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AL5M77WhaLwY8fjxyYjNwU-1920-80.png

With the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana‘s bombshell Panorama interview approaching this week, royal experts are weighing in on the impact his mother’s confessions had on Prince William and his role as a parent. The late princess made a number of shocking revelations in her 1995 interview with Martin Bashir, including confessions of infidelity—ones that rocked the future King and shaped how he parents his own children.

“William’s attitude has been influenced by his childhood and the public nature of the war between his parents, especially the Panorama debacle,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News. Prince William, who was 13 at the time, had to deal with the aftermath of Diana’s confessions while he was attending boarding school at Eton College.

Fitzwilliams added, “William was aghast at what his mother had done when he was at Eton. He was also affected by her tragic death in a very different way than Harry.”

Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles at Eton College in 1995

Princess Diana and Prince Charles are pictured with Prince Harry and Prince William as William registered at Eton College in 1995.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis talking to Prince William sitting in a row

Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis are seen with the Prince of Wales at the VE Day 80th anniversary parade in May.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Prince of Wales has focused on giving his kids a childhood that’s much different from the one he and Prince Harry experienced in the spotlight—and it’s an outlook that Fitzwilliams says was influenced by Charles and Diana’s public war. “From the start, he has tried to bring his children up as normally as possible,” the royal expert said of Prince William. “He is also fiercely protective of their privacy.”

In a recent interview with Brazilian TV presenter Luciano Huck, the Prince of Wales reflected on raising Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, and how he aims to be open with his kids. “Hiding stuff from them doesn’t work,” William admitted.

Royal expert Helena Chard told Fox News that this type of honesty isn’t surprising given his own royal childhood. “A young Prince William carried the burden of his parents’ unhappy and destructive relationship,” she told the media outlet. “Their relationship had broken down and, as a result, Prince William and Prince Harry—but more so, William—felt sad and helpless and, I imagine, insecure. Prince William and Princess Catherine are working hard to keep their children abreast of everything.”

Prince George sitting next to Prince William at Wimbledon, both wearing blue suits

Prince William is seen with Prince George at Wimbledon 2025.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When it comes to open communication, William admitted, “Now, that has its good things and its bad things. Sometimes you feel you’re oversharing with the children— you probably shouldn’t.” The Prince of Wales added that he and Princess Kate were upfront with George, Charlotte and Louis about her 2024 cancer diagnosis.

“They do not want their children hearing what could be devastating news from anyone else,” Chard said. “They are right in the way they handle their affairs in an age-appropriate manner.”

She added, “He is aware that parents need to be open with their children, no matter how sad and upsetting the situation may be. It builds trust, respect and self-esteem.”

Royal expert Hilary Fordwich continued that William’s “forthright approach” was likely influenced by Charles and Diana’s secrecy, which “resulted in even more pain and royal dramas.”

“William sees facing adversity as a family together, as a ‘normal family,” she added.

LP Staff Writers

Writers at Lord’s Press come from a range of professional backgrounds, including history, diplomacy, heraldry, and public administration. Many publish anonymously or under initials—a practice that reflects the publication’s long-standing emphasis on discretion and editorial objectivity. While they bring expertise in European nobility, protocol, and archival research, their role is not to opine, but to document. Their focus remains on accuracy, historical integrity, and the preservation of events and individuals whose significance might otherwise go unrecorded.

Categories

Follow

    Newsletter

    Subscribe to receive your complimentary login credentials and unlock full access to all features and stories from Lord’s Press.

    As a journal of record, Lord’s Press remains freely accessible—thanks to the enduring support of our distinguished partners and patrons. Subscribing ensures uninterrupted access to our archives, special reports, and exclusive notices.

    LP is free thanks to our Sponsors

    Privacy Overview

    Privacy & Cookie Notice

    This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to help us understand how our content is accessed and used. Cookies are small text files stored in your browser that allow us to recognise your device upon return, retain your preferences, and gather anonymised usage statistics to improve site performance.

    Under EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process this data based on your consent. You will be prompted to accept or customise your cookie preferences when you first visit our site.

    You may adjust or withdraw your consent at any time via the cookie settings link in the website footer. For more information on how we handle your data, please refer to our full Privacy Policy