The song that will always take Prince William back to ‘real family moment’ with Princess Diana

The Prince of Wales once shared a special memory of a 'family moment' with Princess Diana that's intertwined with a very specific song

The song that will always take Prince William back explained. Seen here is Prince William during a visit to the We Are Farming Minds charity
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There’s one song that will always take Prince William back to a “real family moment” he used to have with Princess Diana.


Over the years Prince William and Prince Harry have shared several precious memories about the late Princess Diana. Many of these have been utterly heart-wrenching like when the Duke of Sussex opened up about their mother’s pain. Whilst some have been more focused on the positive times they shared together, like Princess Diana’s adorable nickname for Prince William. One more sweet moment is the song that will always take Prince William back to what he once described as a “real family moment” with his beloved mum.

Casting his mind back in the Apple podcast, Time to Walk, in 2022 the future King shared fascinating details about how Princess Diana would attempt to cheer her sons up on their way back to boarding school. And it involved playing a specific Tina Turner song that has “to this day” Prince William still enjoys listening to.

Prince William at the Eton Boys tea party

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This book documents the life and legacy of Princess Diana. Celebrating her achievements, this powerful tribute to the late Princess of Wales also features beautiful photographs and has been updated to include reference to the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

"One of the songs I massively remember and has stuck with me all this time - I to this day still quite enjoy it, secretly – is Tina Turner's The Best, because sitting in the backseat singing away, it felt like a real family moment," he declared.

Apparently Princess Diana got so into the song that she was “driving alone” and “singing at the top of her voice”. Prince William went on to reflect how the late Princess of Wales’ technique worked beautifully as it was only when they were right at the school gates that it “sunk in” they were back at school.

"You'd be singing, listening to the music right the way up to the gates of school where they dropped you off, and that's when reality kind of sunk in,” he said. “You really were going back to school, because before that you're lost in song. You want to play it again just to keep that family moment going.”

Prince William with Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Harry on the day he joined Eton

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Even now, it seems to be a song that will always take Prince William back to that “family moment”. He explained that it still reminds him of Princess Diana and being in the car with her. 

The Prince of Wales shared, “[W]hen I listen to it now, it takes me back to those car rides and brings me back lots of memories of my mother."

Princess Diana’s idea could potentially be one that Prince William might keep going. Prince George was reportedly taken for a look around Eton - Prince William’s old school - earlier this year. It’s not clear whether he’ll definitely go there and if he’d be a boarder but his parents could play a fun song whilst taking him to school to create their own special memories.

Prince George of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend The Wimbledon Men's Singles Final

(Image credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty)

There are still three years before Prince George will move on to his next school, although it’s been suggested that he’ll be taking a pre-test exam in November. Reports have claimed that this milestone is why Kate is set to miss out on attending the Earthshot Prize Awards for the first time as she supposedly wants to remain in the UK to support her eldest son. 

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!