A 12-Year-Old Harry’s Touching Gesture on Diana's Final Birthday Proves He Was Always a Mama's Boy

Princess Diana celebrated her last birthday on July 1, 1997. Just two months later she succumbed to her injuries in the Paris car crash. The Princess, on her 36th birthday, was showered with many gifts and warm wishes—however, the most heartfelt one she received that year came from none other than her youngest son, Prince Harry. Harry who was at school, made his mother’s birthday special in the cutest way possible.

12-year-old Harry rang Diana on the phone and had all his classmates sing 'Happy Birthday'. As per reports, Diana never cared much for birthdays but embraced the love that came her way. On her final one, love poured in—by noon, she had already received over 90 bouquets and more than 300 heartfelt cards, as reported by She Knows. That evening, Diana chose to celebrate her day with her brother Charles Spencer as the two attended the Tate Gallery’s grand 100th-anniversary in London, where she was the guest of honor.

Years later, people across the world, continue to honor her on her birthday. Diana's legacy, a life dedicated to service, continues to inspire. For her 61st anniversary in 2022, Prince William honored her in a way that reflected her spirit. He wrote a passionate message to the Diana Award recipients— young visionaries between ages 9-25 who are making a difference in their communities. In his letter, the Prince praised their inspiring tales and conveyed his appreciation for their bravery, compassion, and persistent determination to create change—all qualities Diana was known for.

In a surprise video, Harry also joined in, addressing the recipients and celebrating Diana's enduring legacy. He said, "There isn't a day during the past two and half decades where I haven't thought about the mark she left not only on me and my brother but on all of our lives." As reported by E! News, he added, "I see her legacy in all of you. I see her legacy in a Diana Award community that spans multiple generations. I see her legacy every time I meet with families, young people, and children from all corners of the world. And I see my mum's legacy when I look at my children every day."

In 2017, the Princes shared their experience of losing their mum at such a young age. In the HBO documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, William said, "There’s nothing like it in the world. There really isn’t. It’s like an earthquake has just run through the house and your life and everything. Your mind is completely split. And it took me a while for it to actually sink in.” Meanwhile, as reported by Town and Country Magazine, Harry, at just 12 years old, couldn’t understand the loss. Instead, he believed Diana had simply gone into hiding to escape the media scrutiny.