Prince-William’s-Heartbreaking-Promise-to-Restore-Diana’s-HRH—And-Why-He-Never-Could (العربية)

Prince William made a heartbreaking promise to Princess Diana when she lost her royal title, and he never got the chance to keep it. In August 1996, when Princess Diana's divorce from Prince Charles was finalized, she lost something she had not expected to lose, her HRH designation. She would no longer be Her Royal Highness. She would have to curtsy to her own sons. She told those close to her that the removal of the title felt like the final, formal excommunication from the institution to which she had given 15 years of her life. She was distraught. Her 14-year-old son saw it. Who made the promise? William, then 14, who watched his mother's distress at the loss of her HRH, and told her, in words reported by her former butler, Paul Burrell, in his book A Royal Duty, Don't worry, Mummy. I will give it back to you one day, when I am king. What was the promise? That when William became king, he would restore his mother's royal title, the HRH, that had been taken as part of the divorce settlement. When was it made? In 1996, in the period after the divorce was finalized, on August 28. Where? At Kensington Palace, in a private exchange witnessed by Burrell. Why does it matter? Because William meant it, and he will never be able to keep it. Diana died on August 31, 1997, 368 days after her divorce was finalized. William was 15. She was gone before he was old enough to begin the long journey toward the throne. A source close to Diana told Radar Online, Diana was incredibly touched by what William said. She told friends it was one of the kindest things he'd ever done for her. He made a promise to his mother. She was moved to tears by it. She was dead a year later. The promise is in the record. The keeping of it was never possible.