A welcome embrace: As Prince William is pictured with his arm around Prince George’s shoulders, a reminder just how much he resembles his trailblazing mother, Princess Diana

Seeing William with a protective arm around George may seem unremarkable by today’s standards.

Why wouldn’t a father hold his son in a strange rugby dressing room, surrounded by giant athletes after they’d just lost the Rugby World Cup quarter-final to Argentina?

But this is the royal family we’re talking about, where outward gestures of warmth had not been significantly encouraged over the years.

Until that is, the arrival of William’s mother, Lady Diana Spencer.

‘I live for my sons. Without them I would be lost,” Diana once said. Not a sentiment associated with Queen Elizabeth II – let alone her formidable grandmother, Queen Mary.

In November 1985, Diana had said: ‘The most important thing is that I am a mother and a wife. That’s what I’m trying to achieve; Whether I do that is another matter, but I’ll try.’

While others prioritized their duties, Diana made it a point to be a – literally – hands-on parent. Nowadays it seems as if her son, the Prince of Wales, is following her example.

George – a future Prince of Wales – had attended the Wales-Argentina match with his father, who is a patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, while his mother watched the corresponding England match.

He was dressed like a mini-me of William, both wearing matching navy blue suits and red ties – the latter seemingly a patriotic nod to the Welsh side.

The father and son duo then met up with some Welsh rugby players to mourn their loss.

Trooping the Color has produced a series of echoes over the years, with William’s body language often seeming to be reminiscent of that of his late mother.

Whether in the public eye or in private, Princess Diana was often pictured holding Prince Harry when Prince William was still young.

And while William may not hug his children in public as often as the late Princess of Wales, he will never miss the opportunity to comfort his children.

The love between Diana and her sons was evident in photographs, as seen in a snapshot of the late Princess of Wales and William at a polo match in May 1987.

The young royal is pictured holding his mother’s hand tightly as she places her hand on his forehead.

George, second in line to the throne, stayed close to his father, who rested his hands on George’s shoulders during the traditional Easter Sunday church service at St Georges Chapel in April last year.

With the fast-paced nature of royal life, the support of their parents is essential.