In a touching new interview with The Mail on Sunday‘s You magazine, she recalled how her friend had a knack for making children happy.
“She would have been a fantastic grandmother. It breaks my heart even thinking about it, because she would have been amazing, she really would,” says Julia.
The 56-year-old had firsthand experience with Diana’s special way with kids, as the Princess was godmother to her son Benjamin, now 26.
Diana was, “the most brilliant godmother – warm and loving and fun, the sort who gave the presents parents never wanted to give because they were so huge and noisy and nightmarish, but that the children loved,” she said to the British newspaper.
Julia and Diana were close friends, with Julia becoming William’s son’s godmother.
Prince William was so moved by her friendship with his mother, he returned the favour, naming Julia one of Prince George’s godparents.
“Diana is my role model. I am aiming to be as good a godmother as she was,” Julia admitted about her role in George’s life.
Diana and Julia struck up a friendship after meeting back in 1987 at a dinner. The two mothers were often spotted enjoying London’s social scene, as they lived near each other.
In fact, the late Princess of Wales would even at times; pick up Julia’s kids from school.
Much like her dear friend, Julia is also a philanthropist and humanitarian.
William is the royal patron for Julia’s charity, Child Bereavement UK.
George’s godmother is the founder patron of Child Bereavement UK, a charity that supports families when a child or parent is facing bereavement. Prince William is the charity’s royal patron.
“He has deep empathy – that really comes across – which is why people feel better for meeting him,” Julia said of the future King. “He has the genuineness that Diana had. They can see it in his face and hear it in his voice. He is warm, but very direct, just as she was.”
