The Duke of Cambridge has shared the experiences of losing his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, while comforting a family who had recently experienced loss.

During a visit to Keech Hospice Care, who look after people from around Hertfordshire, William sympathetically rested his hand on the shoulder of Ben Hines, 14, who lost his own mother Alexandra in June 2015 at the age of 40.

Recalling dealing with his bereavement on the eve of the 19th anniversary of Diana's death, William advised the Ben and his family to stick together through their grief.

The teenager, who was the youngest of the three brothers that met the royal couple and who suffers from autism, explained to the Duke how he was struggling with the loss.

William said: "As four boys, you have to talk a lot better - we're not good sharers. It's a classic example of lots of talking needed."

Ben then told of some treasured memories of his mother before she died, before saying "I miss her so much".

Resting his hand on the boy's shoulder, William said: "Time makes it easier.

"I know how you feel, I still miss my mother every day and it's 20 years after she died.

"The important thing is to talk about it as a family, it's okay to feel sad, it's okay for you to miss her."

Before leaving the family, whom he met as part of a tour of the hospice as it celebrates its 25th anniversary, William said: "Promise me you will talk to each other."

Thomas Hines, the 20-year-old brother to Ben, replied to William: "I promise, sir."

The Duke of Cambridge rested his hand on Ben's arm once more before standing up.

The Hines family had been receiving post-bereavement care at the hospice following Alexandra's death from a rare form of tumour.

Gary Hines, 48, father to the boys and husband to Alexandra, said of William: "He gave Ben his absolute attention and you could see that it struck a chord with him, he put his hand on Ben's shoulder and told him time's a healer and to stick together and talk."

During a meeting with another family who had been cared for at the hospice, the Duchess of Cambridge - who was accompanying William, gave two children a hug.

Jamie and Ethan Coniam, who are 10 and six, lost their brother Kieran when he was 10 after a battle with cerebal palsy, epilepsy and autism.

The pair presented William and Kate with a "memory jar", to which they can add coloured sand to represent individual memories of a person.

Before they parted company, Ethan asked Kate if he could have a hug.

His mother Fiona said the Duchess replied: "Yes, of course, I love cuddles."

She then offered a hug to his brother as well, which he accepted.

Earlier in the day, the Duke and Duchess had praised the courage of girls who have recovered from mental health difficulties and self-harming during a visit to the Youthscape centre in Luton.

The royal couple had been continuing their drive to raise awareness about mental health with a visit to the newly revamped centre for young people.