Mother's Day 2026: Prince William Shares Never-Before-Seen Photo of Princess Diana, Striking a Chord with the Nation

Yesterday was Mother's Day in the UK, and the internet was practically swept up in memories of the one and only 'People's Princess'. To honour his late mother, Princess Diana, Prince William shared a previously unseen black-and-white photo on social media. The post instantly melted the hearts of royal fans everywhere and stirred a wave of collective nostalgia for the beloved princess.

The photo shows a young William as a little boy, standing with his little hands resting on his mother's knee, while a seated Diana looks down at him with an incredibly tender expression. The setting is believed to be their country home, Highgrove House. William simply captioned it, "Mummy, Happy Mother's Day." Just those few words, unadorned, yet the sense of longing is palpable, even through a screen.

A Low-Key Royal Celebration with a Family Photo by Catherine

Beyond William's post, the rest of the royal family also enjoyed a lovely Mother's Day. Friends close to the couple shared that William and Catherine joined their three kids—George, Charlotte, and Louis—for a celebration with the Middleton family at Anmer Hall in Norfolk. Word has it that Catherine even picked up the camera herself, snapping a series of family photos of the children with their grandmother, Carole Middleton. It sounds like a beautifully warm scene. This kind of understated family warmth offers a poignant contrast to William's very public tribute to his own mother—one side celebrating the ongoing warmth of family, the other reflecting an absence that can never be filled.

Speaking of Mother's Day, the date actually varies around the world. People often ask, When is Mothers Day? In the UK, for instance, it's tied to the fourth Sunday of Lent, so the date changes each year, usually falling in mid-to-late March. Back home, we follow the more common tradition of celebrating on the second Sunday of May. Regardless of the date, the main thing is having a day to properly thank our mums.

A Guide to Thoughtful Mother's Day Gifts

With Mother's Day in Hong Kong just a couple of months away, if you're starting to think about what to get, here are two ideas that go beyond the usual bunch of flowers or a store-bought cake. Consider a gift that touches the heart and even helps bridge the gap between generations.

• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls: This novel has been creating quite a buzz in the literary world. Set in the 1970s, it's a story exploring motherhood, coming-of-age, and the bonds between young women labelled 'wayward'. If your mum is a reader with a curiosity about human nature and history, this book could really strike a chord. It's the kind of story that sparks conversation, giving you both plenty to discuss long after she's finished the last page.
• Mom's Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family: This one is an absolute tear-jerker in the best possible way. It's a guided journal filled with prompts for your mum to write down her own childhood memories, love stories, life philosophies, and even her heartfelt wishes for her kids. Give this to her, let her fill it out over time, and then you and your siblings can take turns reading it. It's a priceless family heirloom in the making. For daughters who are mums themselves, reading their own mother's recorded memories of the mother and daughter bond through the years is sure to be incredibly moving.

Whether it's the powerful sense of memory in a single photo from Prince William, or the personal gift we choose for our own mum, the heart of Mother's Day always comes back to love and remembrance. While we have the chance, let's make time to talk to our mums, to learn their stories, and ensure that precious connection is passed down through the generations.