As a universally famous princess who is mother to the future King, Kate Middleton has more than a little bit in common with the late Princess Diana.
Kate, the first Princess of Wales since the tragic death of Diana in 1997, has strived to emulate her late mother-in-law’s passionate work for charitable causes.
And another shared trait is their love for their children and other youngsters, as videos filmed decades apart reveal.
In a clip from 1984, Princess Diana can be seen holding her youngest son Prince Harry during his christening party at Windsor Castle.
As she holds Harry, Diana is seen trying to beckon over her three-year-old niece Zara Phillips.
+8
In a clip from 1984, Princess Diana can be seen holding her youngest son Prince Harry during his christening party at Windsor Castle
+8
As she holds Harry, Diana is seen trying to beckon over her three-year-old niece Zara Phillips. Seen left is her older brother, Peter Phillips
She shouts, ‘Zara!’, and asks someone nearby, ‘can you get Zara?’, before saying her name again as she beckons her over with her hand.
Princess Anne’s daughter then goes over to admire Harry, who was only three months old at the time.
She appears to hold Harry’s hand and chat to Diana, who was wearing a deep blue dress and matching hat for the special day.
Zara’s brother Peter, who was seven, also stands by the Princess’s side and peers at his cousin.
The video was released as part of the documentary, Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute, produced by the BBC to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016.
When Prince William and Harry watched the footage together, Harry turned to his older brother and said: ‘Mummy looks great in blue. I’m still not convinced about the dress I’m in!’
+8
Prince William and Kate brought Prince George and Princess Charlotte to Canada with them for their tour in 2016. At at a party for military families, Kate was filmed petting a dog. The clip shows her turning around and calling out: ‘Look Charlotte, Charlotte look,’ in almost identical phrases to Diana to try and get her daughter’s attention
+8
The young princess giggles as she pets the poodle-golden retriever cross
+8
Princess Kate laughing with Princess Charlotte at a children’s party for military families during the Royal Tour of Canada in 2016
+8
Prince William and Princess Kate in Canada with George and Charlotte
+8
Kate holding Charlotte on her first Royal tour at just 16 months old
+8
Charlotte with therapy dog, Moose, who is a poodle-golden retriever cross, September 2016
Harry’s christening made the front page of the Daily Mail at the time. It was noted that Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, were oddly absent.
Three decades later, Prince William and Kate brought their children George and Charlotte – only three years old and 16 months old at the time – on an eight-day royal tour of Canada.
At at a party for military families, Kate was filmed petting a dog.
The clip shows her turning around and calling out, ‘Look Charlotte, Charlotte look,’ to try and get her daughter’s attention.
Charlotte then toddles over to her mother to look at the therapy dog, who was called Moose.
The young princess giggles as she pets the poodle-golden retriever cross.
The garden party marked Charlotte’s first public appearance with her brother George.
