Prince William reveals candid way his mum Princess Diana helped relieve his boarding school anxiety

Prince William and Princess Diana
(Image credit: Getty)

Prince William has revealed the candid way his mum Princess Diana helped relieve his anxiety when going back to boarding school.

Prince William has revealed the candid way his mum Princess Diana helped ease the anxiety he had on the car journey back to boarding school with brother Prince Harry.

The Duke of Cambridge has revealed his memories of making the dreaded journey back to Ludgrove School - a boarding school, which he attended from the age of eight.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry attended Ludgrove School and Eton College between the ages of 8 to 18. It was reported that whilst the Princes were at Eton, staff would keep the young boys from hearing any scandalous news about their parents by hiding away newspapers.

During a walking audio tour of the Queen's Sandringham Estate, Prince William can be heard telling visitors all about his childhood memories as part of Apple's Time To Walk series which encourages people to get active to help overcome mental health issues.

The future king, who is second in line to the throne, opened up on his fond memories of his late mother Princess Diana, by revealing he still "secretly" likes the Tina Turner song The Best which Diana would play to him and brother Harry in the car when they were heading back to boarding school.

William explained that his mother would play and sing the song to reduce the anxiety of the trip.

The Duke said, "Because sitting in the backseat singing away, it felt like a real family moment. My mother, she'd be driving along singing at the top of her voice and we'd even get the policeman in the car, he'd be occasionally singing along as well."

He fondly explained, "You'd be singing and listening to music right the way up to the gates of school when they dropped you off and that's when reality kind of sunk in - you really were going back to school."

Prince William and Princess Diana and Prince Harry

And in a touching moment of insight, he revealed the ways in which 80s sensation Tina Turner was helping him keep her memory alive.

Prince William has three children, Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, six, and Louis, three, with his wife Kate Middleton, and it's not yet clear whether he will follow tradition and send his son to boarding school, as his parents have a tough decision ahead.

He added, "Because before that you're lost in songs - want to play it again, just to keep that family moment going. And when I listen to it now it takes me back to those car rides and brings back lots of memories of my mother."

Prince William and Princess Diana

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 15: Prince William On His First Day At Wetherby School. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Princess Diana would often be seen doing the school run, she took the young Prince on his first day at Wetherby School and Prince William has kept that tradition going with his own children as he did the school run with his wife Kate, taking Prince George and Princess Charlotte to St Thomas' Battersea.

Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)