Prince William and Kate's secret family holiday had this very special connection to Princess Diana

Prince William and Kate Middleton's recent holiday to the Isles of Scilly with their three children has a touching link to the late Princess Diana

William and Kate's secret family holiday had this very special connection to Diana
(Image credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Prince William and Kate Middleton treated their three children to a secret family holiday last month—made all the more special by its connection to their late grandmother, Princess Diana. 

  • Prince William and Kate Middleton took a well-deserved break from royal duties last month to treat their three children to a vacation on the Isles of Scilly.
  • The English holiday spot has always been a place of significance for the Duke of Cambridge because of its strong connection to his late mother, Princess Diana. 
  • In other royal news, Meghan Markle's 40 most stylish moments to celebrate her 40th birthday.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took some much-needed time off to relax and rejuvenate last month after a jam-packed summer of public engagements and charity work. 

William and Kate were recently spotted on the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall with their three young children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, enjoying a wholesome bicycle ride over 300 miles away from their home at Kensington Palace. The family chose Tresco, the second-largest of the gorgeous isles, for their vacation, having already stayed there twice last year. With its population of just 150 people, the privately-owned resort is ideal for VIPs looking to escape the glare of the media in the city.  

WOKINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 10: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Match, in which Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex were competing for the Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Polo Trophy at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Kate Middleton relaxing with her three children at a polo match 

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

It's therefore not surprising that the Isles have long been a favorite of the Royal Family for easy summer getaways. During their childhood, William and Harry visited the British archipelago multiple times with Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. The newly-married couple had their first trip to the Isles together in 1982, arriving by helicopter at St. Mary's, the largest of the five islands. 

ST. MARY'S, SCILLY ISLES - APRIL 20: Princess Diana on a boat in St. Mary's, Scilly Isles, on April 20, 1982. (Photo by David Levenson/Getty Images)

Princess Diana on a boat in St. Mary's, Scilly Isles, on April 20, 1982.

(Image credit: David Levenson/Getty Images))

They would return again with William and Harry in 1989 for an outdoorsy family holiday, not unlike the ones George, Charlotte, and Louis experience today. Unearthed photos show the royal quartet cycling together and posing by the Tresco coastline during the relaxing break. 

File photo dated 01/06/89 of the Prince and Princess of Wales with sons Prince William, right, and Prince Harry prepare for a cycling trip in Tresco during their holiday in the Scilly Isles, as the 20th anniversary of Diana's death will be commemorated on Thursday. - Image ID: K2J045

Prince Charles and Princess Diana with Prince Harry (L) and Prince William (R) on the Isles of Scilly in 1989 

(Image credit: Alamy)

Prince William and Kate Middleton also made an appearance on the Isles of Scilly without their children back in 2016 for a tour of its many attractions. As well as visiting the Eden Project, the world's largest indoor rainforest, the couple explored the Truro Cathedral and stopped by a local youth club. The three-day trip was understandably nostalgic for William, who spent numerous long weekends with just Diana and Harry on the stunning islands. He reportedly told 89-year-old Gladys Perkins, a resident on the St. Martin's Island, that he continues to hold fond memories of the Isles to this day. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.