Prince William doesn’t get as much press as his brother here in America. This is both good and bad – Prince Harry can seem at times like a racist douche, but at other times Harry is “the hot but dumb prince”. It must be a little difficult for Prince William to be in the shadows (publicity-wise) of his younger brother as of late.

But Prince William is trying to rectify the situation. Will is speaking out like never before in an exclusive statement to The Daily Mail. Will has just become the Royal Patron to the Child Bereavement Charity, and for the first time Will is talking (or writing) in detail about his mother’s death.

Prince William says about Princess Diana’s death: “Never being able to say the word “Mummy” again in your life sounds like a small thing. However, for many, including me, it’s now really just a word – hollow and evoking only memories.” He also writes, “Real grief often does not hit home until much later. For many it is a grief never entirely lost. Life is altered as you know it, and not a day goes past without you thinking about the one you have lost. I know that over time it is possible to learn to live with what has happened and, with the passing of years, to retain or rediscover cherished memories.” So much for the British stiff upper lip. Here’s William’s exclusive statement to The Daily Mail:

Yesterday I became Royal Patron of the Child Bereavement Charity. I took on this role because I know what it is like to lose someone you love so much. Losing a child or being a child when your parent dies is the awful reality for over 23,000 families in Britain every year.

Initially, there is a sense of profound shock and disbelief that this could ever happen to you. Real grief often does not hit home until much later. For many it is a grief never entirely lost. Life is altered as you know it, and not a day goes past without you thinking about the one you have lost.

However, I also know that over time it is possible to learn to live with what has happened and, with the passing of years, to retain or rediscover cherished memories.

Our families and friends play a crucial role in coping with grief. The Child Bereavement Charity can never replace their love. It can, though, provide another, sometimes invaluable lifeline. The charity is there to help the bereaved directly. It also works with those in the community – such as teachers, nurses and the police – who have to deal with the realities of death on a daily basis.

The Child Bereavement Charity has another vital role: raising awareness of child bereavement and informing people of where they can get help and support. Yesterday, the charity launched its Mother’s Day campaign. The theme is “Silence”. The silence that death leaves. The silence of death’s taboo. The silence of listening.

Mother’s Day is so painful for grieving families; for mothers remembering a lost child or for children longing for their mother – a day of happiness turned to sadness. Losing a close family member is one of the hardest experiences that anyone can ever endure. Never being able to say the word “Mummy” again in your life sounds like a small thing.

However, for many, including me, it’s now really just a word – hollow and evoking only memories. I can therefore wholeheartedly relate to the Mother’s Day campaign as I too have felt – and still feel – the emptiness on such a day as Mother’s Day.

This year I hope that, through the Child Bereavement Charity’s tireless and dedicated hard work, for some families at least, it will be a little less painful. For those who have lost the one they love, rest assured they will be watching over you.

From The Daily Mail

Some celebrity/royal-watchers have pointed out in the past that Prince William never seemed to really deal with his mother’s death. Considering the emotional resonance behind his statement, I’d have to disagree. I think Will still feels Diana’s death acutely, almost painfully, on a daily basis. Perhaps this is why Will is reticent to settle down with Kate Middleton. He has both a fear of abandonment and survivor’s guilt. But that’s just my diagnosis. I’m still very happy that Will can turn his personal grief into something positive – it’s what his mother would have done.

Prince William is shown at a reception for the The Child Bereavement Charity held at the Sladmore Contemporary Art Gallery in London on 3/12/09 and also at a Dinner to mark the 40th Anniversary of Centrepoint held at St. James’ Palace State Apartments in London later that night. Credit: WENN.com