Prince Harry has shared a simple family tradition that helps keep the memory of his late mother, Princess Diana, alive.
Speaking during a question and answer session at Scotty’s Summer Festival at Maxstoke Castle in Warwickshire, England, the Duke of Sussex said his family marks Diana’s birthday on July 1 and the anniversary of her death on August 31 with one of her favorite desserts.
“Yes, we do lemon drizzle cake,” Harry said. “I think traditions are really, really important. Especially when they’re sweet.”
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The event was organized by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports children who have lost a parent in the British Armed Forces. Harry serves as the charity’s Global Ambassador and regularly attends its events.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, while being chased by paparazzi. Harry was only 12 years old when she died.
Harry reflects on grief and healing
Harry has often spoken about the emotional impact of losing his mother.
In his 2021 children’s book Hospital by the Hill, he described the loss as something he struggled to accept.
He wrote that Diana’s death “left a huge hole inside of me.”
Over time, he said, love and support from family and friends helped fill that emptiness.
During the festival, Harry encouraged bereaved children to express their emotions instead of hiding them.
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According to People magazine, he explained that grief never completely disappears, but talking about loved ones makes the journey easier.
His message reflected years of work supporting mental health, military families and children coping with loss.
UK visit includes reunion with King Charles
Harry’s appearance at the festival came during his first visit to Britain in four years.
Earlier in the trip, he, Meghan, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, reunited privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the meeting but released no photographs because it was a private family gathering.
The reunion marked the first time King Charles had seen his California-based grandchildren in several years.
It also represented an important family moment after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and moved to California in 2020.
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Alongside the festival, Harry visited children at a local hospital and joined activities, including goat yoga and family games.
His comments about Princess Diana drew widespread attention because they highlighted how small family traditions continue to preserve her legacy almost three decades after her death.
Nearly 28 years after losing his mother, Harry continues to speak openly about grief. He hopes his experiences encourage other families to remember loved ones through meaningful traditions while finding comfort in shared memories.
