Royal Family
Princess Diana wanted to make sure that her sons would always smile in photos. Pictured: Royal family leave the church of St. Mary Magdalen near Sandrigham House 25 December. Getty Images/Pool/AFP

Princess Diana used a great trick to make her son, Prince William, smile in photos when they were still kids.

In some of the Princess of Wales’ throwback photos with her sons and ex-husband, Prince Charles, she is seen almost always holding a toy in her hands. It is believed that Princess Diana kept her sons entertained by showing them their favorite toys while taking photos.

When she is not holding a toy, Princess Diana seemed to make her sons smile by allowing them to walk around the set up during their pictorials. In one of their photos, Prince William happily held on to Prince Charles’ knees while his parents looked at him adoringly.

In 1984, Prince Charles and Princess Diana commemorated Prince William’s second birthday by posing for a photograph. The ex-couple is sitting on a bench outside Kensington Palace, and Prince William is standing in between his parents. Princess Diana is holding a colorful ball, which is obviously one of Prince William’s toys.

Princess Diana has also done a similar trick after Prince Harry was born. Several years later, it was Prince William and Kate Middleton’s turn to pose for pictures with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Kensington Palace just released a Christmas card photo of the Cambridges last week. In the snap, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are sitting on a huge tree trunk outside of their home. Middleton is carrying Prince Louis in her arms, while Prince George and Princess Charlotte are standing behind their dad and standing on the tree trunk.

Prince George’s goofy personality is evident in his pose for the photograph. He is smiling from ear to ear but his left leg is outstretched. Princess Charlotte, on the other hand, looks so stunning in the photo. Several fans have likened her appearance to Princess Diana. Princess Charlotte has a demure smile on her face, and her head is tilted down in the pictures.

Prince William and Middleton welcomed Prince George in 2013, Princess Charlotte in 2013, and Prince Louis on April 23.