It’s no surprise that many have drawn comparisons to the late Princess of Wales and her daughter-in-law, Duchess Catherine.
Although they never met, they’re both the leading women in Prince William’s life, and as the future King and Duchess Catherine share their first hours at home with their latest addition to the family today, we can’t help but notice the similarities between Prince William’s mother and his wife.
Both show a nurturing and maternal nature, and both strive to ensure their children’s lives are as everyday as they can be.
Here are some of our favourite parenting moments from Princess Diana and Duchess Catherine.
A prince is born!
On June 21 in 1982, the world was halted in its step when Princess Diana and Princes Charles welcomed the heir to the throne and their firstborn, Prince William.
And 31 years later, on July 23 2013, history repeated itself, with Kate and William introducing their firstborn son to the world outside the Lindo Wing. Catherine’s clothing choice is a lovely nod to the mother in law she never knew.
Playtime in the park
In April 1983, Diana took Prince William on his very first international royal tour to New Zealand. Less than a year old, the little tot smiled at cameras as he did a little jig (with Diana’s help), in an Auckland park.
Someone’s taken after their daddy. In June 2014, king crawler Prince George had mum Kate running after him as he set about exploring at the polo.
The royal fringe sweep
Nothing like mum giving you a comforting fringe sweep. Last year George showed his sister the ropes at Trooping the Colour. Meanwhile Diana and Wills share a sweet moment at the polo in 1988.
Walking, talking tots
Prince William was 18 months old when this snap was taken at Kensington Palace.
Prince George’s first birthday was marked with this darling snap, taken during a visit to the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London.
His royal grumpy pants!
Mums in the spotlight know you need to get on with the show… Even when your bub doesn’t want to.
Under Mummy’s watchful eye
Diana gave the world unprecedented glimpses into their everyday lives with snaps like this one, taken in 1985.
A year ago, we got to see Catherine in mum mode with her kids during their Canada tour.
Snow bunnies
Acting all kinds of chill in the snow… Diana with her boys in Austria back in 1991. William and Kate continued the vacay tradition this time heading to the French Alps with their mini-mes.
Time for take-off
Somewhere down the line, blue became the official royal colour. The People’s Princess arrives in Scotland with her cherubs back in March, 1986.
Taking a leaf out of Princess Diana’s book, Kate dressed George and Charlotte in navy as they touched down in Canada last year.
Holy Sundays!
Nothing like a crisp morning church service to kick off your Christmas. Whether it’s Diana with Will back in 1994, or Kate with Charlotte and George – the little ones’ Christmas spirit is just as bright.
Getting to go in the cockpit
Prince Harry was delighted when his mum took him to the Royal Airforce back in 1991.
And his nephew was equally as excited 25 years later.
Straight off the plane
Look at baby Harry, pictured here in 1991.
And here, Prince William and Duchess Catherine disembark from their plane with Prince George in arms.
The royal point with one unimpressed sibling
Diana and her boys during 1988’s Trooping the Colour. Prince Harry seems to be delighted by the crowds but Prince William, not so much.
This time it’s fourth-in-line to the throne Princess Charlotte who seems bored by the fanfare… Her big brother, in comparison, is completely into it.
Mummy’s little adventurer!
Diana, pictured with Harry and William in 1986, always wanted to give her kids a grounded upbringing that enabled them to do the things that any kid would do.
And from everything we’ve seen with the Cambridges, Kate and William have the very same approach with their children.
