In the new documentary The Queen and Prince Charles: Mother and Son, royal commentator Lady Julie Montagu explains that after the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997, Prince Charles had to take a new approach to raise his sons. According to Montagu, Princess Diana did most of the hands-on parenting when it came to Prince William and Prince Harry. "We can see that in the hugging, the laughing, the cuddling that she did. After her death, it changes completely," she said.
When the princess died suddenly in 1997, Prince Charles had to step into the role. "He really stepped up in that parenting role when he needed to," Montagu said.
Growing up, though, Prince Charles wasn't used to having his mother and father around—if you've seen The Crown, you'll already know this—because they frequently traveled on royal trips. However, while their parents were gone, Charles and his sister Princess Anne became accustomed to the affectionate, hands-on approach of The Queen Mother and King George VI ("For me, she meant everything," Charles said of the Queen Mother after her death).
According to the Daily Express, it may be that Prince Charles modeled his parenting approach from what he experienced growing up with his grandparents to help be that support system where Princess Diana once stood. Either way, it's safe to say the effort that Prince Charles put into becoming a hands-on father figure to the boys did not go unnoticed. "One of the hardest things for a parent to have to do is to tell your children that your other parent has died," Prince Harry said in Diana, 7 Days ."How you deal with that, I don't know."
He continued," [Our dad] was there for us—he was the one out of two left, and he tried to do his best and to make sure that we were protected and looked after." Harry added: "But he was going through the same grieving process as well."
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
-
Meg Bellamy of ‘The Crown’ Was Nervous to Recreate Kate Middleton’s Iconic Charity Fashion Show Walk“I would love her to think fondly of it.”
-
Cardi B's Skinny Brows Are Straight Out of the '90s
She made her runway debut for Balenciaga.
-
Amal Clooney Set the Precedent for Holiday Dressing
Take a clue from Clooney for any upcoming holiday parties and festive fêtes.
-
Dominic West of ‘The Crown’ Forbade His Son from Reprising His Role as Prince William in Season Six for One Heartbreakingly Poignant Reason
“It was unfair of me, because he did want to do it.”
-
Despite It All, King Charles Absolutely “Refuses” to Strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of Their Duke and Duchess of Sussex Titles
The reason is poignant.
-
Prince Harry Will Miss Britain’s “Wedding of the Year” Because of Continued Rift With the Royal Family, Royal Expert Reports
The groom, the Duke of Westminster, is one of Prince Archie’s godparents.
-
One of King Charles’ Siblings Was Adamant That Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Be Evicted from Frogmore Cottage
Meanwhile, another sibling was “uneasy” about the decision.
-
King Charles Had Just Two Frosty Words for Son Prince Harry After the Release of the Netflix Docuseries ‘Harry & Meghan’
The King’s composure surrounding his younger son allegedly broke for a moment.
-
The Royal Family Needn’t Worry: 'Spare' Volume II Won't Happen, Omid Scobie Says
Prince Harry has previously said he could write a whole other book with content left on the cutting room floor.
-
Prince William is Jealous of Prince Harry’s Ability to “Break Away” from the Royal Establishment, Omid Scobie Writes
“It’s easy to see why William’s fury is bubbling to the top.”
-
Prince William and Prince Harry Will Probably Only See One Another for One Occasion Henceforth
And it’s not an occasion anyone relishes.
