Princess Diana: Princes Commission Statue 20 Years after Her Death

A statue of Princess Diana has been commissioned by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, 20 years after her death.

The two princes said that“the time is right to recognise her positive impact”with a permanent statue.

The sculpture will be erected in the public grounds of her former residence, Kensington Palace.

A sculptor has yet to be chosen but a spokesperson said work on the artwork would begin soon.

Princes William and Harry said in statement: “It has been 20 years since our mother’s death and the time is right to recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue.

“Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy.”

The Queen has said she “supports” her grandchildren commemorating Princess Diana.

Royal historian Kate Williams told the BBC it was an opportunity for the princes to“put their stamp”on their mother’s legacy as “a great charitable patron”.

“The princes have really taken up her mantel of the charity work - particularly of looking at the Cinderella causes, that don’t get that much attention,”she added.

The Princess of Wales died on 31 August 1997 in a car crash in Paris, when the Duke of Cambridge was 15 and his brother was 12.

The princes’ statue will be the fourth London-based monument dedicated to Princess Diana, and will be close to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park, and the memorial garden close to Kensington Palace.