Three little children sit down with paper, colorful pencils, and a very special person in mind.

They carefully write messages filled with love to a grandmother they have never met.

Her name is Princess Diana.

For Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, “Granny Diana” is someone they know through photographs, family memories, and stories passed down by their father, Prince William.

Diana passed away in August 1997, when William was just 15 and Prince Harry was only 12.

The world mourned a beloved princess, but two young boys were left facing life without their mother.

Decades later, Diana’s memory remains an important part of her sons’ families.

And one particularly touching tradition has captured hearts around the world.

Every Mother’s Day, William’s children have made handmade cards for the grandmother they never had the chance to hug.

But the messages inside those cards are only part of this emotional story.Princess Diana became one of the most recognizable women in the world, admired for her warmth, compassion, and willingness to connect with people from different backgrounds. Yet behind the public appearances and royal responsibilities, she was also a devoted mother who wanted her sons to experience ordinary childhood joys. Prince William and Prince Harry have both spoken about the affection she showed them and the special memories they carry. Although Diana’s life ended tragically in 1997, those memories have continued to shape the way her sons remember her and introduce her to the next generation.

In 2021, Kensington Palace shared photographs of Mother’s Day cards created by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis for their late grandmother. The messages were simple, personal, and deeply touching. George wrote about loving her and thinking of her, while Charlotte expressed how much she missed her grandmother and wished she could have known her. Louis, still very young, contributed a colorful handmade card. The tradition offered a rare glimpse into how Prince William and Catherine help their children maintain a connection with someone who remains an important part of their family history. Diana may never have met them, but they have grown up knowing her name and the love their father still carries for her.

Prince Harry has also spoken about keeping his mother’s memory alive within his own family. He has shared that photographs of Diana have been part of his children’s surroundings and that he talks about her with them. For both brothers, remembering their mother involves more than her public image as the Princess of Wales. It includes the laughter, surprises, affection, and everyday moments that made her special to them. William has recalled how Diana could make him feel loved even in the middle of a crowded room. Harry has remembered her playful spirit and her desire to give her children experiences outside the formal world of royal life. These personal memories reveal the woman behind the famous photographs.

On July 1, 2021, what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday, William and Harry came together to unveil a statue honoring their mother at Kensington Palace. In their joint statement, they expressed how much they wished she were still with them. It was a reminder that grief does not necessarily disappear with time; instead, people often find new ways to carry the love of someone they have lost. The Mother’s Day cards are especially moving because they represent a bond built through family stories rather than shared experiences. Diana never had the opportunity to hold her grandchildren, celebrate their birthdays, or watch them grow. Yet through the memories her sons share, she remains a cherished part of their family.

Some grandparents leave this world before meeting their grandchildren, but their love and memory can still be passed down through generations.

Do you believe children should grow up hearing stories about grandparents they never had the chance to meet?