Princess Diana passed away in 1997

Princess Diana sadly died before meeting her grandchildren, from Prince Harry’s two tots, Archie and Lilibet, to William‘s three kids, George, Louis and Charlotte.

However, a sweet but cheeky tradition the royal started long before they were born was kept alive after her death by one of George’s grandparents.

The two brothers have spoken out about how they keep their mother’s memory alive through tales and photographs, after her sudden death in 1997.

One of the godparents of Prince George revealed she continues a tradition started by Princess Diana with her nine-year-old godson.
Prince George’s godparents include Zara Tindall and the Duke of Westminster (Credit: Cover Images)

Prince George’s godparents

Prince George has seven godparents – Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel, William van Cutsem, Zara Tindall and The Duke of Westminster.

He was christened in the Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace on October 13, 2013.

Julia Samuel, who was a close friend of Diana, Princess of Wales has spoken about her role in her godson’s life.

Samuel met Princess Diana in 1987 at a dinner party, and was close to her family ever since.

Speaking to the Guardian, Julia said: “Well, I feel lucky I was such a good friend of Prince Diana. And I really love my godson, George. And it’s lovely way of loving her.”

She added: “I was angry that she died and shocked and I couldn’t really understand it all. I understand it better now. I understand that people felt they really knew and loved her. But I still feel sad today.”
Prince George has a total of seven godparents chosen by the Prince and Princess of Wales (Credit: Splash News)

Princess Diana’s naughty tradition passed on to Prince George

However, this isn’t the first time Ms Samuel has spoken about her godson. Samuel revealed the secrets behind her bond with Prince George and admitted she’s carried on one tradition from Princess Diana.

Speaking on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, Samuel previously said that Diana started a tradition with Julia’s children where she would gift them a naughty present.

We’re certain that the fun-loving late princess would approve of her influence in her grandson’s life.

“So I do to George what she did to us which is give impossible toys which are really noisy, take a lot of making,” she said.

She continued: “I come in slightly tipped by the size of the present that William then has to spend days putting together.

“And then put all the machinery together and it makes awful tooting noises and lights flashing and all of that. That makes me laugh and it makes George laugh.”
Prince George’s godmother carries on naughty Diana tradition (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Prince William ‘keeps his mother’s memory alive’

The future king explained how he’s keeping the memory of his late mother alive through his children.

Prince William detailed he tells his children, George, Charlotte and Louis, stories of Princess Diana’s charitable nature.

While speaking on the documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, he said: “I have taken some guidance from what my mother did.

“When I was very small my mother started talking about homelessness, much like I do now with my children on the school run.”

The heir to the throne recalled seeing “people on the street” growing up and would ask Diana about it.

Sadly, Diana passed away following a car crash in Paris in 1997, and his children never met their grandmother.