Prince William Surprises Attendees At Vigil For Princess Diana's Birthday

Princess Diana would have celebrated her 58th birthday on Monday (July 1). To honor the special day, numerous well-wishers gathered outside Kensington Palace in London and held a vigil for the late royal. According to the Daily Mail, guests arrived around 5:30 a.m. with flowers, photos, and other items to help them celebrate the beloved "people's princess."

Prince William shocked the well-wishers when he came out of the palace to speak with them and view the memorial site they set up for his mother's birthday. The Duke of Cambridge reportedly shook their hands and thanked them for all their support over the past 22 years.

John Loughrey, a self-described "super fan" of the royal family, spoke with the Mail about his experience meeting the Duke. “William told me he knew we'd been coming here for years and thanked us for what we were doing for his mother," he said. "William told me that he knew we had been coming here for 22 years and thanked us for what we were doing for his mother."

“I'm still shaking now. I feel very emotional,” he continued. "He said, 'I'm touched by what you do' I told him that I pray for his mother every Sunday at Westminster Abbey and he seemed really touched.”

Prince William and Prince Harry commissioned a statue of Princess Diana to be built on the grounds of Kensington Palace back in 2017. The project has been delayed, so, it must be nice for the brothers to see so many well-wishers honor their mom each year on her birthday in the meantime.

Photo: Getty