The Prince of Wales previously spoke candidly about grief and the loss of his mother Princess Diana as part of his role as patron of Child Bereavement UK

© Getty Images

The Prince of Wales is in touch with his emotions, making it his mission to speak candidly about taboo subjects like grief and mental health, breaking the ‘stiff upper lip’ stigma that surrounds the royal family.

One such memorable time was during a poignant engagement in May 2025, when he revealed that grief is the “worst” type of pain that any child or parent will ever endure.

In a statement shared to announce the merging of bereavement charities, Child Bereavement UK (for which William is patron) and Winston’s Wish, William said: “Grief is the very worst pain any child or parent will ever endure, and while we cannot prevent these losses, we can ensure that every possible type of expert support and care is given, to help rebuild the lives of those affected.

He continued: “In my sixteen years as patron of Child Bereavement UK I have seen the life changing impact of their work and how the support, care and compassion provided protects the long-term health and wellbeing of those living with loss.

© Getty Images
Prince William has been patron of Child Bereavement UK since 2009

“I have also seen the growing need for support of this kind, and it is because of this increasing demand that I am delighted that Child Bereavement UK and Winston’s Wish are joining forces to expand their impact. They have recognised that together they can do so much more, and I commend them both for taking this bold step to reach more people and help to reduce the long-term challenges that unresolved grief can cause.”

The father-of-three lost his mother, Princess Diana, when he was just 15.

As the two charities merge, they will look to provide training to professionals, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families. At a time when demand for services is increasing, the charities plan to join forces to increase the reach and impact of their ground-breaking bereavement services and training.

© Getty Images
Over the years, Prince William has spoken candidly about his own experience of grief

They will be able to support more grieving people when they need it the most, and help to reduce the long-term challenges that unresolved grief can cause.

The organisation retained the name Child Bereavement UK, as well as its Royal Patron Prince William, who has held the position since 2009.

William has always had close links to the charity. The organisation, which supports families when a child or parent is facing bereavement, was set up by Princess Diana’s close friend, Julia Samuel.

© Getty Images
The father-of-three is patron of Child Bereavement UK

Of his involvement, Julia previously told You magazine: “He has deep empathy – that really comes across – which is why people feel better for meeting him.

“He has the genuineness that Diana had. They can see it in his face and hear it in his voice. He is warm, but very direct, just as she was.”

William and Harry’s heartbreaking loss

© Getty Images
William meeting the Child Bereavement UK funding team during a visit to the charity service in February

Diana, Princess of Wales, died on August 31, 1997, following a high-speed car crash in Paris. The accident instantly killed her companion, Dodi Fayed, and the driver, while Diana passed away from her injuries in hospital shortly afterwards.

The 36-year-old royal’s death prompted an international outpouring of grief, and her televised funeral was watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide. Prince William and Prince Harry were 15 and 12 years old, respectively, at the time of their mother’s death. The images of the young boys walking beside her coffin will be remembered as some of the most heartbreaking images in modern history.

William’s brother Harry recently opened up about wanting to forsake royal life following his mother’s tragic death. The Duke of Sussex, 41, told an audience at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne Park in April that the job had “killed” his mother, who tragically died in a car crash in 1997.

© Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Princess Diana was just 36 at the time of her death

In a highly personal speech, he confessed: “For me, after my mum died just before my 13th birthday, I was like: “I don’t want this job. I don’t want this role wherever this is headed, I don’t like it. It killed my mum, and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years, fingers in the eyes.”

However, he eventually realised he could do good with his platform: “I realised – well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world?”

SOURCE: https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/832036/prince-william-worst-pain-endured-reacts-to-big-announcement/