( CNN ) -- Prince William has spoken in depth publicly for the first time about death of his mother , Diana , Princess of Wales , 12 years ago , saying `` mummy '' is now a hollow word `` evoking only memories . '' Diana , Princess of Wales , died in a Paris car crash 12 years ago . Prince William was only 15 and his brother Prince Harry 12 when Diana died in a Paris car crash along with Dodi Fayed in 1997 . The Prince made the comment Thursday during a speech to mark his new role as patron of Britain 's Child Bereavement Charity -- a group his mother was once involved with . The British Press Association reported that he told the launch of the charity 's Mother 's Day campaign : `` My mother Diana was present at your launch 15 years ago , and I am incredibly proud to be able to continue her support for your fantastic charity , by becoming your royal patron . `` What my mother recognized then -- and what I understand now -- is that losing a close family member is one of the hardest experiences that anyone can ever endure . `` Never being able to say the word 'Mummy ' again in your life sounds like a small thing . Tell us what you think about Prince William 's moving comments . `` However , for many , including me , it 's now really just a word -- hollow and evoking only memories . `` I can therefore wholeheartedly relate to the Mother 's Day campaign as I too have felt -- and still feel -- the emptiness on such a day as Mother 's Day . '' Listen to Prince William discuss his mother . » . The charity wants to raise awareness of the problems suffered by mothers bereaved of a child or children bereaved of their mother . Based in Buckinghamshire , a region west of London , it educates professionals and supports families after a death . Writing in Britain 's Daily Mail newspaper about his new role , the Prince said the reality of losing a child or parent was `` awful . '' `` Initially , there is a sense of profound shock and disbelief that this could ever happen to you . Real grief often does not hit home until much later . `` For many it is a grief never entirely lost . Life is altered as you know it , and not a day goes past without you thinking about the one you have lost . '' Mother 's Day in the UK always falls on the fourth weekend of Lent , and this year is on March 22 . Earlier this week France 's leading society magazine , Point de Vue , reported that the Prince would marry his long-term girlfriend , Kate Middleton , this summer . The magazine claimed an official announcement was `` imminent . ''
Prince William says he feels ` ` ' '' every Mother 's Day . His mother , Diana , Princess of Wales , died in a Paris car crash 12 years ago . William : ` ` For many , including me , [ Mummy is ] now really just a word ''