Princess Diana tragically died on 31 Aug., 1997 [1], but her spirit lives on through her two sons [2], Prince Harry and Prince William.
In his memoir "Spare," [3] released on 10 Jan., Harry reflects on his mother, the brief time they shared together, and the memories he has of her. That includes the shocking claim that the very day Harry was born, Prince Charles thanked Diana for giving him a "spare" — harking back to the saying that every monarchy needs "an heir and a spare."
Harry revisits memories of his mother, including her 1995 Panorama interview [4], in his Netflix docuseries [5] "Harry & Meghan," which premiered in December 2022. In the first episode [6], Harry opens up about Diana, saying, "I always remember her laugh, her cheeky laugh. Her saying to me: 'You can get into trouble, just don't get caught.'" Harry was only 12 years old when his mother died, so he admits that he doesn't have many "early memories" of her. "The majority of my memories are being swarmed by paparazzi," he says in the docuseries. "Rarely would we have a holiday without someone with a camera jumping out of a bush. Within the family, the system, the advice is always, 'Don't react, don't feed into it.'"
Harry has expressed that his mother's spirit continues to influence him today. In fact, he partially credits her for his and Meghan Markle's loving romance [7]. "I think for so many people in the [royal] family, especially the men, there can be a temptation or an urge to marry someone who would fit the mould as opposed to somebody who perhaps you are destined to be with," Harry says in the docuseries. "[The] difference between making decisions with your head or your heart. My mom certainly made most of her decisions, if not all of them, from her heart. And I am my mother's son."
In the sixth episode of "Harry & Meghan," Harry reveals that his daughter, Princess Lilibet [8] — whose middle name is Diana — reminds him of his mother, with her bright-blue eyes and reddish-gold hair. "I think, at the moment, I see a lot of my wife in Archie and a lot of my mum in Lilibet," he says. "She's very Spencer-like."
Harry paid tribute to his late mother [9] during his and Meghan's wedding [10] in May 2018, and again on the 25th anniversary of her death [11] in 2022. In a speech he gave at the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, Harry said of the occasion, ". . . She most certainly will never be forgotten. I want it to be a day filled with memories of her incredible work and love for the way she did it. I want it to be a day to share the spirit of my mum with my family, with my children, who I wish could have met her."
Over the years, the Duke of Sussex has gotten more comfortable talking about his mum and, in turn, given us a glimpse at their unbreakable bond. See some of their sweetest pictures together ahead.
Princess Diana beamed while holding a newborn Prince Harry outside St. Mary's Hospital in September 1984.
Prince Harry snuggled up to his mum during a holiday in Majorca, Spain, in August 1987.
In August 1988, Harry sat on his mother's lap during a photocall in Spain.
Diana carried Harry off the plane at Aberdeen Airport in September 1985.
Prince Harry kept close to his mum during the royal tour of Italy in May 1985.
Diana carried her son off a flight at Aberdeen Airport on New Year's Day in 1981.
Harry enjoyed some playtime in the garden of Highgrove House in July 1986.
Princess Diana walked with her sons in Windsor, England, in September 1995.
The two got a little silly during their holiday in Majorca, Spain, in August 1987.
The two shared a laugh during a carriage ride in Lech, Austria, in March 1993.
The two shared a sweet moment at Highgrove House in July 1986.
Little Harry playfully stuck out his tongue at Trooping the Colour in June 1988.
Prince Harry chatted with his mother during the V-J Day commemorations in August 1995.
Diana and her son enjoyed a water slide ride while visiting Thorpe Park in Chertsey in April 1992.
Diana gave her son a piggyback ride when they visited Highgrove House in July 1986.
Prince Harry attended Easter service at St. George's Chapel with his mum in March 1989.
Princess Diana and Prince Harry stepped off a plane as they arrived in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in August 1989.
Princess Diana and Prince Harry attended the Heads of State Victory in Europe Remembrance Service together in May 1995.
Prince Harry sat on his mum's lap on the steps of the Highgrove Estate in Gloucestershire in July 1986.
Prince Harry and his mum had fun on the Depth Charge ride at Thorpe Park in April 1992.