**Prince William’s Promise to Princess Diana That He Will Never Be Able to Keep**
*Published Oct. 17, 2025, 4:34 p.m. ET*
Prince William once made a heartfelt promise to his mother, Princess Diana, that moved her to tears — a promise he tragically will never be able to fulfill, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
At just 14 years old, the future Prince of Wales witnessed a heartbreaking moment in his mother’s life. In 1996, Diana lost her “Her Royal Highness” (HRH) title as part of her divorce settlement from then-Prince Charles, now King Charles III.
### The Promise That Moved Diana to Tears
Though Diana retained the title Diana, Princess of Wales, the removal of her HRH status meant she had to curtsy to her ex-husband, her two sons, and other members of the royal family. This change deeply hurt Diana, who confided in close friends that it felt like the final severance from the institution she had once devoted her life to.
In a touching moment, a teenage William comforted his mother by saying, “Don’t worry, Mummy, I will give it back to you one day when I am king.” According to Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, this promise left her overwhelmed with emotion.
A source close to the late princess shared, “Diana was incredibly touched by what William said — she told friends it was one of the kindest things he’d ever done for her.” The insider explained this moment showcased the deep bond between mother and son. “Even as a teenager, William was remarkably empathetic,” they said. “He could see how much the loss of her title hurt her, and he just wanted to take that pain away in the only way he knew how.”
### A Promise Lost to Tragedy
The promise, however, would tragically remain unfulfilled. On August 31, 1997, just a year after the divorce, Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36 — only 368 days after the settlement was finalized.
A royal insider reflected, “It’s heartbreaking when you think about it. Diana’s loss was the defining wound of William’s life, and that small promise became symbolic of everything he couldn’t protect her from. The tragedy is that he’ll never get to fulfil it — no matter what kind of king he becomes.”
### The Divorce That Changed Everything
Diana’s divorce settlement, finalized on August 28, 1996, awarded her a lump sum of approximately $20 million and an annual allowance of $500,000 to maintain her private office. While the agreement ensured joint custody of Prince William and Prince Harry, then 12, Diana’s HRH status was permanently revoked — a decision supported by Queen Elizabeth II to maintain “necessary distance” between the monarchy and the divorced Princess of Wales.
Royal experts have noted that the Queen attempted to reassure Diana during this difficult time, promising she would always have access to her sons.
### A Legacy of Love and Compassion
In the final months of her life, Diana’s feelings toward the monarchy remained complex. She once told a royal biographer, “I would never do anything to hurt the monarchy. I have no wish to upset what is essentially William’s inheritance, whether he likes it or not.”
Those who knew Diana well say she often spoke about the importance of compassion in leadership — a lesson William seems to have embraced fully.
A family insider shared, “Diana always told William that if he was lucky enough to find real love, he should protect it and never let it go. He’s done exactly that with his wife Catherine — it’s the one piece of her guidance he’s truly carried with him.”
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Prince William’s promise to his mother remains a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between them and the profound impact of Diana’s love and compassion on the future king.
https://radaronline.com/p/prince-william-princess-diana-promise-unfulfilled-throne/