Prince William said the sweetest thing to a little girl who has also lost a parent, and we’re actually crying
Reinforcing the fact that he’s the sweetest and most empathetic human, Prince William consoled a grieving child at the Child Bereavement Center, who, like him, lost a parent way too soon. Aoife is only nine years old, and her father passed away from pancreatic cancer when she was just three. Prince William shared his own story with Aoife, telling her that he lost his mom when he was 15, and when his brother Harry was 12.
"I lost my mummy when I was very young too," he said.
He encouraged her to talk about her father and her feelings, even if the memories are painful. “Do you speak about your daddy? It’s very important to talk about it, very, very important,” he continued.
And it definitely made Aoife feel less alone.
"It was really nice that he talked to me. It was like there are other people who know what it is like to lose someone," she said.
Her mother Marie was also very taken with Prince William’s words, and plans to put them into action. “I am telling my children that if they take anything away from this day, it is what he said about how important it is to talk. Kids do not forget that. Sometimes it hurts but we can remember the happy things too. It is so important to talk.”
At the center, Aoife made a memory jar for her father, choosing his favorite colors of red, yellow, pink, and green. The idea of the jar is that every color of salt represents a memory of the person, and we think it’s a beautiful tribute.
The Duke and Duchess join a @cbukhelp 'Memory Jar' activity in a Support Group session – which helps families dealing with bereavement pic.twitter.com/xg9zWPxfkD
— The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) January 11, 2017
We can always count on Prince William to use his own experiences as a way to help others. Sending all the love to Aoife and her mom, and to the other children who have lost a parent. It’s SO important to band together in times of need.
H/T: People
