By Molly Claire Goddard
8:24am PST, Feb 25, 2026
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Following Princess Diana's 1997 passing, Queen Elizabeth II wanted to help
Prince William. "Sensing William was struggling, the Queen invited him to Sunday lunch to judge his mood,"
Daily Mirror's royal editor
Russell Myers wrote in his upcoming book
William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story via
Daily Express. "William was more than just crestfallen and worried about whether he was throwing away the one constant in his life. He was, according to one well-placed source, 'completely broken.'"
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Luckily, Queen Elizabeth II had sage wisdom to impose on
Prince William. "In that moment, the Queen advised her grandson that the only certain path is the one supported by faith. It was all she had to say," Russell Myers wrote.
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In the days after Princess Diana's life was taken in a car crash in Paris, many members of the public expected Queen Elizabeth II to step forward and console the nation. However, the late leader was focused on
Prince William and
Prince Harry. "During those initial days of hopelessness after the tragedy of Diana's death, Elizabeth's first reaction had been that of a grandmother, not a monarch. She refused to bow to pressure from the press and instead dedicated herself to comforting her suffering grandchildren. Now she would do the same," Russell Myers wrote.
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Queen Elizabeth II developed a soft spot for
Prince William over the years as she watched him deal with Princess Diana and
King Charles III's tumultuous marriage. "The Queen had witnessed at first hand the toxicity that spilled over from Charles and Diana's relationship and the devastating effect of the Princess of Wales's tragic death on both William and [Prince] Harry," Russell Myers wrote. "And she knew that William was hurting from the attempt to reconcile so many competing expectations, demands and desires."
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When Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022,
Prince William reflected on their special bond. "While I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife [
Kate Middleton] has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children [
Prince George,
Princess Charlotte and
Prince Louis] have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives," he said in a statement via
People.
