Princess Diana was idolised for many things: her philanthropic work, her style, even the way she changed royal parenting as a hands-on mom to sons Harry and William. But there was one superpower she didn't possess, and parents everywhere will nod in unison — the Princess of Wales herself couldn't deal with putting shoes on her babies.
I've never felt so understood by the royals. I've had three babies, and I've been plagued with the problem of baby shoes that don't stay put every. single. time. What parent hasn't had a stranger run up to them in public to return a rogue shoe that unknowingly fell off? Who hasn't spent precious time securing small sandals to chubby baby feet only to find them missing minutes later? Sure, there are some brands that work better than others and likely many more options these days than ever before, but the struggle is still so real.
Based on a handful of images of Diana with both William and Harry that show the boys shoeless at young ages, it would appear the struggle was real for her, too. She didn't even bother with baby shoes during official overseas tours! She forwent footwear during professional family photo shoots! Prince Harry was barefoot on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the Trooping the Colour! (OMG, right?!)
It's hard to imagine the queen wouldn't take issue these days if Prince Louis paraded around with his toes visible (gasp!), so it's a little shocking that this was a seeming nonissue in the '80s. But even if Kate Middleton doesn't dare skip the important accessory when her children are being photographed (remember when Princess Charlotte's shoe fell off in the family Christmas card?), I am so here for Diana's mothering realness.
Let this be permission for us all to forget the footwear (weather permitting, of course) and the feelings of failure. Next time you've had enough of those adorably tiny tennis shoes or decide to leave the mini moccasins behind altogether, rejoice in knowing that one of the most famous mothers in the world didn't waste her time with that nonsense either.