The Princess of Wales died in a car crash in Paris when her sons William and Harry were just 15 and 12 years old. A week later on September 6, 1997 she was laid to rest and many onlookers were surprised to see her two sons walking in the funeral procession behind the coffin. A documentary entitled ‘Prince William at Thirty’, uploaded to YouTube in June 2012, revealed that William didn’t even know on the day of the funeral whether he would be able to go through with it.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said: “When the day of the funeral came, I think William was still uncertain as to whether he would agree to walk behind his mother’s coffin.”

It was then that his grandfather stepped in and offered William a gesture of true solidarity and love.

Lady Elizabeth Anson, the Queen’s cousin, said: “Grandfather Prince Phillip said: ‘If I walk, will you?’

“And I think Prince William thought it was such a wonderful thing of his grandfather, and I think it’s a decision he’ll never ever regret.”

Former ITN royal correspondent Nicholas Owen explained how incredible it was for the public to see the three generations of royal men walking behind Diana’s coffin – Prince Philip, Prince Charles and her boys, William and Harry.

The relationship between Diana and Philip is said to be sour by the end of her life, but when tragedy struck, this was all put aside for the sake of the boys.

Mr Owen said: “And then the coffin comes along and there’s the boys, walking along behind them with the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles – no one expected that!”

Diana’s body was carried from Kensington Palace on a gun carriage, along Hyde Park to St James’s Palace, where she remained for five days before being taken back to Kensington Palace.

The Union Flag on top of the palace was lowered to half mast and a ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey.

Huge crowds had gathered for Diana’s funeral, but all were standing in a respectful silence.

Lady Anson said: “It was the most unique atmosphere I’ve ever felt on a London street – you could sort of cut the air.”

The funeral was also televised and watched by 32 million people.

As the camera zoomed in on the hurst, the audience caught a glimpse of a card on top with the simple word ‘mummy’.

Ms Bond said: “I don’t think there is a mother in the national who didn’t have a lump in her throat and a teat in her eye when she saw that.”

Lady Anson added: “Lots of people’s mummies have died, but not many people’s mummies have died so publically.”

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