Prince William is reportedly considering a deeply personal move that could reopen one of the royal family’s most painful controversies: restoring the honorary title his mother, Princess Diana, lost following her divorce from King Charles III.
But according to royal insiders, the Prince of Wales may be willing to wait until his father dies and he becomes king before making the change.
The alleged plan comes as the royal family prepares for the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death in August 2027, a milestone expected to revive memories of her troubled marriage, extraordinary popularity and complicated relationship with the monarchy.
Sources speaking to RadarOnline claim William, 44, has never forgotten the decision to remove his mother’s Her Royal Highness, or HRH, designation after her divorce from Charles in 1996.
Although Diana retained the title Diana, Princess of Wales, she was no longer formally entitled to the prestigious royal style.
The decision became a source of controversy, particularly among admirers who believed she deserved to retain the honor because of her humanitarian work and her role as the mother of a future king.
Now, nearly three decades after her death, William is reportedly considering reversing that decision.
A royal insider told RadarOnline that restoring Diana’s HRH designation would be a meaningful way for William to honor his mother’s memory and recognize her lasting influence on the monarchy.
However, the source claimed William is reluctant to raise the issue while Charles remains on the throne, fearing the proposal could create fresh tensions between father and son.
Instead, the prince is said to be considering waiting until he inherits the crown and can make the decision himself.
Neither William nor Buckingham Palace has publicly confirmed that such a plan exists.
The alleged proposal also recalls a longstanding story about a promise William supposedly made to Diana when he was a child.
According to accounts published after her death, the young prince was upset that his mother had lost her HRH designation and told her he would restore it when he became king.
The story has circulated for decades, although William has not publicly confirmed that he made such a promise or intends to fulfill it.
The controversy surrounding Diana’s title began when her marriage to the then-Prince Charles formally ended in August 1996.
Under arrangements announced by Buckingham Palace, Diana retained her association with the Princess of Wales title but lost the right to use Her Royal Highness.
The palace maintained that the terms had been agreed upon by Diana, Charles and Queen Elizabeth II.
However, the decision remained controversial because Diana continued to be one of the most recognizable members of the royal family, even after stepping away from official royal duties.
Just one year later, on August 31, 1997, Diana died at age 36 following a car crash in Paris, triggering an extraordinary outpouring of grief around the world.
Her death left William, then 15, and Prince Harry, then 12, without their mother.
For the brothers, Diana’s legacy has remained deeply personal, even as their own relationship has become increasingly strained.
Fresh attention has now been drawn to the title dispute following the publication of Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, a new memoir by Diana’s younger brother, Charles Spencer.
In the book, released in September 2026, Spencer makes the striking claim that Queen Elizabeth II offered to restore Diana’s HRH designation after her death.
According to Spencer, the proposal came around the time of Diana’s funeral, but he rejected it because he believed the gesture was too late.
His account has reopened questions about how the royal family handled Diana’s status following her divorce and whether the monarchy could have done more to acknowledge her contributions.
Buckingham Palace has disputed aspects of Spencer’s broader account of events surrounding Diana’s death, and his recollections remain his own description of private conversations.
Meanwhile, the approaching anniversary has reportedly created another delicate issue for William.
Prince Harry is said to be exploring a documentary about his mother’s life and legacy, with royal sources suggesting Meghan Markle could potentially narrate the project.
No finalized documentary or involvement by Meghan has been officially announced.
According to RadarOnline’s sources, William is reluctant to turn the anniversary into a competition with his younger brother.
While Harry has frequently discussed the emotional impact of losing Diana and his experiences growing up in the royal spotlight, William has generally taken a more private approach to remembering their mother.
Both have continued supporting causes associated with her humanitarian work.
William has credited Diana with inspiring his efforts to address homelessness, while Harry has maintained connections to organizations involved in HIV awareness and landmine clearance.
The brothers also appeared together in a 2017 documentary marking the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death.
At the time, William suggested they did not anticipate discussing their mother’s life so publicly again.
A restoration of Diana’s HRH style would be considerably different from a documentary, charitable project or public memorial.
As the reigning monarch, William could potentially authorize changes to royal styles through the royal prerogative, although any posthumous restoration would raise questions about precedent and the formal process required.
Such a decision would be largely symbolic, but supporters of Diana’s legacy could view it as recognition of her place in royal history.
There is also no indication that William would need to wait until Charles’ death to request a change. The current monarch could consider such a proposal if one were formally presented.
For now, the reported plan remains based on anonymous royal sources rather than an official palace announcement.
Still, the approaching anniversary guarantees renewed attention on Diana’s legacy and the lasting consequences of her turbulent years within the royal family.
Nearly 30 years after the world mourned the People’s Princess, her influence continues to shape the monarchy through her two sons.
And if William eventually decides to restore the royal honor his mother lost, it would mark a deeply personal moment for a future king whose childhood was forever changed by her death.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.