Since Princess Diana's death in a tragic Paris car crash on August 31, 1997, her sons Prince William and Prince Harry have carried on her legacy. The brothers have grown up to be fine young men, a credit to the down-to-earth parenting that Diana, who was born in 1961, was determined to provide for her children. As William awaits baby number three, and Prince Harry announces his plans to marry next year, click through to see the many ways Diana's sons have carried on her legacy both in their royal roles and private lives.Photo: Getty Images
When Prince Harry announced his engagement to Meghan Markle on November 27, 2017, his late mother was very much present. For the first photocall the couple chose to meet the press in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, where a white garden had been planted earlier this year to commemorate Princess Diana 20 years after her death. Meghan's ring, designed by the Prince, also paid tribute to Meghan's late mother-in-law to be. Two stones from Diana's private jewelry collection are included in the now-iconic ring. “It is days like today when I really miss having her around and miss being able to share the happy news," Harry said in a BBC interview, "but with the ring and everything that’s going on, I’m sure she is with us, jumping up and down somewhere else.” Photos: Getty Images
Picture perfect! Prince Harry recreated Diana's photograph on the stairs of the Willesden Green hostel in January 2017. The Prince paid tribute to his mother as he struck a smile and did the exact same stance as Diana for a picture with members of The Running Charity. The 32-year-old Prince participated in a run with the organization that is the first running-oriented program for homeless and vulnerable young people. Like his mother, Harry has found the time to offer support to people in need and finds the time to connect and play sports with young people. During his visit, the founder of The Running Charity, Alex Eagle shared how the Prince took an empathetic note towards the members of the charities and their problems. "The prince observed that a lot of young people who use our charities have been let down in the early stages of life and that their success is defined by how they pick themselves up." Photo: Geoff Pugh-WPA Pool/Getty Images
As her sons carry out their royal duties, thoughts of their devoted mom are likely never far behind, for both the royals and the people they meet who knew Diana. Here, Prince William flashes a smile when he's given a very special photo during a 2016 visit to The Passage homeless charity in London. The picture, right, depicted his previous visit – some 23 years ago with his mom and little brother Harry.Photo: Getty Images
In April of 2016, Prince William and Kate Middleton sat on the same bench in front of the Taj Mahal as Princess Diana. The Duke and Duchess recreated the photo Diana took in 1992. After their visit, the Prince was seen getting emotional as he left the site where his mother posed for one of her more iconic photos. Photo: Getty Images
Like mother, like son: Right, Prince William, proudly dressed in his naval uniform for a portrait in London ahead of his deployment with the Royal Navy at the frigate HMS Iron Duke in May 2008. The Prince bore a striking resemblance to his blue-eyed mother, who showed off a military cap of her own during an outing in England in the summer of 1986.Photos: Getty Images
Always close by for an encouraging word and a loving hug, Diana gave her sons the confidence to succeed as she showed them the ropes. Five years after the photograph on the top was taken, William, too, looked confident as he made the rounds on his first – but certainly not his last – visit to Canada.Photos: Getty Images
Intent on creating awareness about devastating land mines in Angola, Diana donned a protective suit and walked through a minefield. The 1997 image shocked the world and brought much-needed attention to the subject. Carrying on his mother’s work, Prince Harry traveled to Mozambique in 2010 and suited up for a tour of the minefields.Photos: Getty Images
Warm, doting and involved, the Duke of Cambridge's approach to fatherhood has set a new standard for royal family life as he raises his two children, George and Charlotte, with wife Kate Middleton. Unlike his predecessors, William openly hugs and kisses his children and is unabashed about being a modern dad – a precedent that was set by Diana, who vowed to give her sons normal upbringings.Photos: Getty Images
William and Kate paid the ultimate tribute to the Prince's mother, seen left in a childhood snap, by calling their first-born daughter Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Photos: Getty Images
In marrying Kate, William chose a partner who can help him carry on his mother’s legacy. He paid tribute to Diana by proposing to his bride with her ring. "It was my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on the excitement,” he said.
Her sapphire ring isn't the only heirloom Kate has come to treasure. The Duchess also chose a favorite tiara of Princess Diana's, the Cambridge Lover's Knot, for a reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty Images
Diana’s sons also share her compassion for vulnerable kids. Here, the Princess received a hug at a London school for children with disabilities, while William bonded with patients at a New Zealand hospital in 2010.Photos: Getty Images
Top, Diana meeting a toddler at a hostel for abandoned children. Bottom, Prince Harry connecting with a youngster in Africa in 2006.Photos: Getty Images
For decades, photos of her sons have evoked her adventurous spirit. Diana donned a green jumpsuit and squeezed into a tank during a visit to the Royal Hamphsire at Tidworth in June 1998. Little Harry, then 8, was the spitting image of his mother when he wore an army uniform for a ride in a tank at the British regiment in Germany.Photos: Getty Images