Princess Diana;
Prince Harry.
Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty; Craig Barritt/Getty
Prince Harry has offered a rare
glimpse into one of the private traditions he, Meghan Markle, and their children
share every year to remember Princess Diana—a heartfelt ritual that continues
to connect the next generation to the late Princess of Wales.
During a visit to Scotty's Summer
Festival at Maxstoke Castle in Warwickshire on July 11, the Duke of Sussex
spoke openly about how his family marks both Princess Diana's birthday and the
anniversary of her death, revealing that one simple tradition has become
especially meaningful inside their California home.
For Harry, remembering his mother
isn't only about looking back. It's also about helping Prince Archie, 7, and
Princess Lilibet, 5, understand the grandmother they never had the chance to
know.
A Simple Family
Tradition That Carries Deep Meaning
Princess Diana
with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry on a skiing holiday in Lech,
Austria, March 30, 1993.
Credit: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty
While taking part in a
question-and-answer session with children and families supported by Scotty's
Little Soldiers, Prince Harry was asked by 16-year-old Sebastian whether he
does anything special each year to honor Princess Diana on July 1, her
birthday, or on Aug. 31, the anniversary of her passing.
Harry's answer surprised many with
its simplicity.
"Yes, we do lemon drizzle
cake," he replied.
The Duke explained that the family
has embraced the tradition because small moments often become the most
meaningful ones.
"I think traditions are
really, really important," Harry said. "Especially when they're
sweet."
Although the tradition is simple,
it reflects Harry's long-standing commitment to ensuring that Princess Diana
remains an active part of his children's lives despite never having met her.
Why Scotty's
Little Soldiers Holds Special Meaning
Prince Harry attended the festival
as Global Ambassador for Scotty's Little Soldiers, a British charity that supports
children and young people who have lost a parent serving in the Armed Forces.
The charity's mission closely
mirrors Harry's own experiences with childhood grief after Princess Diana died
in 1997, when he was just 12 years old.
Over the years, Harry has
frequently spoken about the challenges of growing up under intense public
scrutiny while privately coping with unimaginable loss.
His appearance at the event once
again highlighted his continuing focus on supporting young people dealing with
bereavement.
Harry Reflects on
Living With Grief
Prince Harry
attends ‘Scotty’s Summer Festival’ at Maxstoke Castle near Birmingham, central
England on July 11, 2026.
Credit: Heathcliff O'MALLEY / POOL / AFP via Getty
Earlier this year, Prince Harry
spoke candidly about grief while delivering a keynote address at the InterEdge
Summit in Melbourne.
Reflecting on his own journey, he
explained that losing a loved one affects people regardless of age but can be
particularly confusing during childhood.
"In my experience, loss is
disorienting at any age," Harry said.
He also described what it was like
grieving while growing up in one of the world's most recognizable families.
"Grief does not disappear
because we ignore it," he explained. "Experiencing that as a kid
while in a goldfish bowl under constant surveillance... will have its
challenges."
Harry admitted there were many
periods in his life when he felt overwhelmed, isolated, and emotionally
exhausted.
"There have been many times
when I've felt lost, betrayed or completely powerless," he said, adding
that he often felt pressure to appear as though everything was fine despite
struggling privately.
For years, he said, emotional
numbness became a coping mechanism before he eventually developed healthier
ways to process loss.
A Landmark Week
for the Sussex Family
Harry's comments came during a
significant visit to the United Kingdom.
During the trip, Prince Harry,
Meghan Markle, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet reportedly reunited
privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in
Gloucestershire.
The meeting marked the first time
Meghan and the children had seen the King and Queen in person in approximately
four years.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that
the gathering took place as a private family meeting, and no official
photographs or additional details were released.
Security Concerns
Continued to Shape the Visit
The family's travel arrangements
reportedly changed several times before the visit.
Prince Harry ultimately carried
out much of his scheduled public program on his own while discussions
surrounding accommodation and security continued behind the scenes.
Despite those complications, the
reported private reunion with King Charles represented one of the most closely
watched royal family developments in recent years.
There has also been speculation
that the Sussex family may visit Althorp House—the Northamptonshire estate
where Princess Diana is buried—during their time in Britain, although no
official confirmation has been provided.
Keeping Diana's
Legacy Alive for a New Generation
For Prince Harry, honoring
Princess Diana appears to be about far more than public remembrance ceremonies.
Whether through family stories,
annual traditions like baking a lemon drizzle cake, or openly discussing grief
with young people facing similar experiences, he continues to ensure that his
mother's influence remains part of everyday family life.
As Archie and Lilibet grow older, those quiet
traditions may become one of the most personal ways they learn about the
grandmother whose legacy continues to shape both their father and the wider
royal story.
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