The Prince of Wales has spoken candidly about grief, describing it as the 'worst pain any child or parent will ever endure', in a poignant statement marking the merger of two bereavement charities. William, who lost his mother Princess Diana at the age of 15, made the remarks as patron of Child Bereavement UK, which is joining forces with Winston's Wish to expand support for grieving families.
In a statement released in May 2025, William said: 'Grief is the very worst pain any child or parent will ever endure, and while we cannot prevent these losses, we can ensure that every possible type of expert support and care is given, to help rebuild the lives of those affected.' He added that he had seen the 'life changing impact' of the charity's work during his 16 years as patron.
The merger aims to meet growing demand for bereavement services, providing training for professionals to better support families. The organisation will retain the name Child Bereavement UK, with William continuing as royal patron, a role he has held since 2009. The charity was founded by Julia Samuel, a close friend of Princess Diana.
William's brother, Prince Harry, also recently spoke about the impact of their mother's death, telling an audience in Melbourne that he initially wanted to reject royal life because the job 'killed my mum'. Diana died in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997, aged 36, triggering an unprecedented global outpouring of grief.
