Princess Diana 'so present' in the modern day says royal expert

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Princess Diana was well-known and loved for her commitment to her charity work. The princess spent much of her time visiting various charities to help support and promote their work. Now in a rare speech, Prince William opens up about how her work has inspired him.

Prince William is seen by many royal watchers to be continuing his late mother’s legacy.

He has followed in her footsteps to become the patron of some of the many charities the late Princess of Wales was previously patron of.

In 2019 William became patron of The Passage a homeless prevention charity that has helped more than 135,000 people in crisis.

During a speech at the charity’s 40th-anniversary awards ceremony, William gave a rare insight into how his mother’s work has inspired him.

Diana appears to have instilled the value of charity and caring for others into her sons from an early age.

Diana would take William and his brother Harry with her on her royal duties.

Diana first took her sons to the charity in 1993 when they were still very young.

In his speech, William reminisced on his visits with his mother and how they shaped him.

He said: “Over the many years that I have visited The Passage, first with my mother when I was just a small boy, I have developed a great affection for everyone who is here.

“Every time I come here, I am touched by your warmth and friendliness, and the dignity and respect you show to every single person who comes through your door.

He added: “I am always so impressed to see and hear the difference that The Passage makes to the lives of people who are experiencing homelessness.

“And I find it particularly inspiring to meet former clients who were helped by The Passage’s wonderful staff and volunteers in their time of need, and who have come back to help others now that they are doing much better themselves.

It seems Diana’s visits didn’t just inspire her sons – they had a significant impact on the charity’s staff and the homeless persons they helped.

Colin Chilman, who now works as a kitchen porter thanks to the help of The Passage, received an award from William and spoke of his fond memories of Diana and her boys.

He said: “I remember seeing Diana many years ago and she was with her boys. They were so young.

“I also met William several years ago but I had a long beard. I’m well happy to win this. And extra special to get it from William.

“I just did what I did. From being an alcoholic I quit all that, I went through a bad time and (am) thankful for what has happened.”

William warmly told Mr Chilman: “Colin, what a journey. Well done I am so pleased it’s going well.”

He later said in his speech: “The last 18 months of the pandemic have shown us how much we rely on each other to get by – and just how strong our communities can be when we work together to get things done.”

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