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Wait, Did Kate Middleton Get Her Go-To Parenting Move From Princess Diana?!

It’s no secret that one of Kate Middleton’s go-to parenting moves involves bending down to meet kids at eye-level—but she wasn’t the first member of the royal family to use this method. In fact, she may have borrowed it from her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

If you recall, the Duchess of Cambridge has used the move on multiple occasions, and fans have long admired her thoughtfulness. But based on these throwback photos that resurfaced in honor of the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, it seems that Middleton is taking after Lady Di.

princess diana kate middleton parenting move photography
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The picture above was taken when Middleton stopped by the Royal Photographic Society for a workshop benefitting Action for Children, where she bent down to show something to a child. The photo below was captured in 1997, when Princess Diana visited the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple in London.

princess diana kate middleton parenting move
Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

You’ll notice that both royals are crouched down, so they can meet the eye-level of the person they’re talking to. The parenting move can be used to foster open communication on an equal playing field and create a comfortable environment for the child. Plus, it avoids asserting dominance.

princess diana kate middleton parenting move photo
Phil Noble/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Human behavioral expert Susan Constantine explained this notion to The Royal UK. “This is a way for them to refrain from being authoritative and, in turn, better relate to their children,” she said.

princess diana kate middleton parenting move royal family
Anwar Hussein/WireImage

One thing’s for sure: Middleton learned from the best.

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greta

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...