Wills: 'Very difficult' that Diana never saw wedding day

Prince William has spoken of his desire to have children with wife Kate and expressed sorrow over the fact his mother never had the chance to meet her.

In a revealing interview with an American news channel, William also said he was still deciding if he would take another tour or duty with the Royal Air Force, or leave the military to assume royal duties full time.

Discussing the future of his RAF career with ABC broadcaster Katie Couric, he said: “I’m still trying to decide. It’s a really difficult one because I really enjoy my time in the Air Force and I’d love to continue it.

“But the pressures of my other life are building. And fighting them off, or balancing the two of them, has proven quite difficult. More importantly, I’d rather like to have children. So that’s the key thing really.”

When asked by Couric how he felt about his family planning making headlines around the world, William added: “It is quite strange reading about it, but I try not to let it bother me. But I’m just very keen to have a family and both Catherine and I are looking forward to having a family in the future.”

When pressed if there was any news he would like to share, William said: “You won’t get anything out of me. Tight-lipped.”

In the interview ahead of this weekend’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations for the Queen, William spoke about marrying his bride without his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, being present.

Diana was killed in a Paris car crash in 1997, four years before William met the duchess at St Andrews University where they both studied.

Discussing his mother’s absence from last April’s glittering Westminster Abbey ceremony, the duke said: “It was very difficult. It’s the one time since she’s died, where I’ve thought to myself it would be fantastic if she was here.

“And just how sad really for her, more than anything, not being able to see it. Because I think she would have loved the day and I think, hopefully, she’d be very proud of us both for the day.”

The duke added: “I’m just very sad that she’s never going to get a chance to meet Kate.”

William’s poignant tribute to Diana was echoed by his brother Prince Harry, who described her as having the “best seat in the house” during the wedding service.

Harry, who was also interviewed by the broadcaster, joked and looked at ease during the globally televised ceremony, but admitted he was “massively nervous”.

William also spoke of his big day jitters, saying the the prospect of two billion people watching was “daunting”.

“Honestly it was one of those days where you feel very elated. Also completely terrified,” he said.

“I sort of steadied myself, with my brother, we were cracking some very bad jokes behind the altar before we were ready to come out, trying to settle the nerves.

“It was very important to both Catherine and I that we gave a day that was true to ourselves because at the end of the day you’re getting married and I take that very seriously.”

William said he looked to the example of his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh for help with married life.

He said: “I wouldn’t say I’ve taken notes as such but I’ve seen sort of how a partnership, if you like, in business and in private time, can evolve and how (the people in the relationship) can help each other.”

Celebrations over the coming four-day bank holiday weekend will allow the nation to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

She came to the throne aged 25 after the death of her father George VI in 1952.