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Prince William on His Mother Princess Diana’s Death: “It Makes Me Sad She Never Met Kate, George, and Charlotte”

This is heartbreaking.

In the “most candid” new interview he’s ever given, Prince William opened up about his late mother — and confessed he wishes Princess Diana had gotten to meet his wife, Kate Middleton, and their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

“I would like to have had her advice. I would love her to have met Catherine and to have seen the children grow up. It makes me sad that she won’t, that they will never know her,” the 34-year-old royal told British GQ.

MORE: Kate Middleton Gets Real About the Challenges of Motherhood — “It’s Lonely at Times”

“I am in a better place about [my mom’s passing] than I have been for a long time, where I can talk about her more openly, talk about her more honestly, and I can remember her better, and publicly talk about her better,” William continued.

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William, Diana, and Harry. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

“It is a different situation for most people who lose someone they love, it can be hidden away or they can choose if they want to share their story,” he said.

“It has taken me almost 20 years to get to that stage. I still find it difficult now because at the time it was so raw,” William added. “And also it is not like most people’s grief, because everyone else knows about it, everyone knows the story, everyone knows her.”

MORE: Princess Diana Called Prince Charles the Wrong Name During Their Wedding Ceremony

Earlier this month, William similarly paid tribute to Diana in a touching speech while presenting Legacy Awards set up by the Diana Award charity to young philanthropists on Thursday, May 18.

“This summer marks 20 years since our [mother’s death]. She achieved so much in her life. From helping to shatter the stigma around AIDS, to fighting to ban landmines and supporting the homeless — she touched the lives of millions,” William said, according to People.

“The truth is, though, that she was taken at only 36, just slightly older than I am today. But of course, we can never know what our mother would have gone on to do,” the father-of-two continued. “But in one sense Prince Harry and I feel that our mother lives on in the countless acts of compassion and bravery that she inspires in others.”

William’s 32-year-old brother, Harry, also gushed about Diana’s charitable legacy. “One of the things our mother taught William and I was the value of doing good when no one is watching,” he began.

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“She visited hospitals late at night to comfort patients; she spent hours writing letters to privately support the work of others; she achieved a lot by shining a spotlight, but she worked just as hard when the cameras were gone,” Harry continued.

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Charlotte, Kate, George, and William. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

“Our mother once said that if we all play our part in making our children feel valued, the result will be tremendous. This result was tremendous,” he added.

This isn’t the first time that William has spoken out about his mother’s tragic August 1997 passing. During a recent visit to Keech Hospice in Luton, England, the Duke of Cambridge comforted 14-year-old Ben Hines, who sadly lost his mother to cancer one year ago.

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“Time makes it easier,” William told the grieving boy, according to People. “I know how you feel. I still miss my mother every day — and it’s 20 years after she died.”

“The important thing is to talk about it as a family,” William added. “It’s OK to feel sad. It’s OK for you to miss her.”

Check out the gallery to see Diana’s cutest moments with William and Harry!

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