July 1 marks what would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday, and royal fans have been reflecting on why Princes William and Harry no longer publicly commemorate the occasion.
No Recent Online Tributes from William or Harry
The last time the royal brothers jointly honored their late mother’s birthday was in 2021, when they unveiled a statue of her on what would have been her 60th birthday. The ceremony took place in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace—a place Diana had loved.
In a joint statement at the time, William and Harry said: “We remember her love, strength and character—qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better. Every day, we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy.”
They also thanked sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley and garden designer Pip Morrison, along with the many friends, supporters, and donors who made the memorial possible.
Fans Wonder Why Her Birthday Isn’t Acknowledged Now
Since that tribute, fans have noticed that neither of Diana’s sons posts about her birthday on social media, and some have shared thoughts about why.
“I’ve noticed they don’t mention anything about Princess Diana’s birthday – it must still be hard for them,” one user reflected online.
Another offered a different perspective: “For all of those who say it’s disrespectful or that they should post something for Diana’s birthday: 1) they don’t run this account, simple, and 2) don’t you think William has his own way of celebrating (if he does) his late mother’s birthday?”
Back in 2017, the brothers participated in a documentary, Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, commemorating 20 years since her passing. In it, both shared heartfelt memories of her.
Prince William said, “I give thanks that I was lucky enough to be her son and that I got to know her for the 15 years that I did. She set us up really well. She gave us the right tools and had prepared us well for life in the best way she could not obviously knowing what was going to happen.”
Harry echoed those sentiments, saying, “She was our mum. She still is our mum. And you know, of course as a son, I would say that she’s the best mum in the world.”
As a personal tribute, both princes gave their daughters—Princess Charlotte and Princess Lilibet—Diana as a middle name.
William’s Charity Work Seen as Tribute to Diana
While the brothers might not post tributes on social media, many believe William is continuing his mother’s legacy through his actions.
On Diana’s birthday this year, William visited a homeless shelter in Sheffield as part of his Homewards initiative. The five-year project, launched in 2022, focuses on tackling homelessness in six regions across the UK and aims to make it “rare, brief and unrepeated.”
Diana was known for her compassionate work with the homeless and famously brought William and Harry along to shelters when they were young. One fan on X wrote, “Happy Birthday Princess Diana. William is carrying on your legacy with deep compassion for others and loving respect for you.”
For many, his actions speak louder than public posts, keeping Diana’s spirit alive through service rather than ceremony.