Prince William listens to families speak at a reception of The Child Bereavement Charity held at the Sladmore Contemporary Art Gallery, London. Photograph: David Bebber

Princess Diana is known alive and posthumously for her world-wide charity work. Her son, Prince William, is carrying on her legacy with his recent work with the Child Bereavement Charity.

“Losing a close family member is one of the hardest experiences that anyone can endure,” William said at event organized by the organization.

“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 memories,” said William, the second in line to the British throne after his father, Prince Charles.

While it may seem that the world is made up of the “haves” and “have nots”, we all grieve the same. Losing a friend or family member strikes the deepest chord, resonating through a lifetime.

Reading that a man second in line to become King concerns himself with the word “mummy” is touching and intertwined with the human experience that we’re all part of.

From left to right: Julia Samuel - Founder Patron, Child Bereavement Charity, HRH Prince William, Ann Chalmers - Chief Executive, Child Bereavement Charity, and Jamie and Eleanor Wroath, showing the Prince photographs of their daughter Miranda who died suddenly aged 15 months in January 2008. Jamie, Eleanor and their son Samuel (4) have been supported by the Child Bereavement Charity.

Princess Di with her sons