Prince William has retraced his mother Princess Diana’s steps 30 years after she first opened a children’s hospice, in a loving tribute to her memory.
Diana was pictured holding a young girl in her arms as she opened Acorns Hospice in Birmingham, UK, in 1988. Now Kensington Palace has remembered the moving moment by sharing a photo of her 30 years on, as her son revisited the same spot to celebrate its three decade anniversary.
The Duke of Cambridge, 36, was pictured meeting staff and families of sick children at the hospice, managing to keep his emotions in check as he laughed and smiled just like his mum so many years before.
Sharing a photo of him arriving, followed by the snap of Diana showing off her motherly instincts, the palace wrote on social media: “The Duke visits @AcornsHospice in Selly Oak, who provide specialist care for life limited and life threatened children and their families…
.@AcornsHospice was opened in 1988 by HRH’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales – and today The Duke will join in celebrations for the charity’s 30th anniversary #RoyalVisitBirmingham pic.twitter.com/NzwEkbP0tg
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 18, 2018
“@AcornsHospice was opened in 1988 by HRH’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales – and today The Duke will join in celebrations for the charity’s 30th anniversary #RoyalVisitBirmingham.”
Taking after his mum’s love of children, William was seen chatting to disabled and sick children inside as they smiled up at him. He later knelt down to speak to a family using the facility’s hydrotherapy pool.
Next during The Duke of Cambridge’s day in Birmingham, The Duke visits @AcornsHospice in Selly Oak, who provide specialist care for life limited and life threatened children and their families. #RoyalVisitBirmingham pic.twitter.com/TYnos6GAAJ
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 18, 2018
When Princess Diana first opened the space in December of 1988 it was one of only a few hospices dedicated specifically to children right across the world.
Moving on from there, William went on to attend a graduation ceremony for Skill Force UK’s Prince William Award. The new scheme, run in schools across the country, aims to help young people build their character, resilience and confidence.
The Duke meets some of the families who use the hospice's specialist facilities, which include a hydrotherapy pool. #RoyalVisitBirmingham pic.twitter.com/ezMsz9QKIr
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 18, 2018
Meanwhile, Prince William has been taking a few trips down memory lane recently and was pictured in June as he paid his respects at the side of his great-grandmother’s tomb.
Read more: Prince William pays respects at great-grandmother’s tomb in moving tribute
The Duke was pictured stood in prayer by the side of the resting place of Princess Alice of Battenberg at the Church of St Mary Magdalene.
The Russian Orthodox church sits on the Mount of Olives above the Old City in east Jerusalem, and William was met there by Archimandrite Roman, Father Roman, the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and Abbess Elizabeth. He was pictured laying flowers down before standing for a moment with his back to cameras as he shared a private moment with his late relative.
Following his prayer, William was reportedly shown several photos of Princess Alice and her family tree, and according to the Mail Online, he said: “It’s absolutely fascinating to hear about the family history.”
He was later presented with gifts for himself, his wife Catherine, and his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, including a 19th century Russian cross and small crosses and wooden Easter eggs for the kids.
“These are crosses for their rooms, so that they have a blessing for Jerusalem,” Father Roman is said to have told him, to which William replied: “Thank you, that’s very kind, they’ll love them.”