Princes to rededicate Diana’s grave following renovation

THE Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will rededicate their mother’s grave on what would have been her birthday this Saturday after accusations that it had been neglected.

The Duke, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Prince George and Princess Charlotte will attend a private service at Althorp House, as the Archbishop of Canterbury helps them to commemorate Diana, Princess of Wales, in the 20th anniversary year of her death. The rededication, understood to comprise words of reflection and prayer at the graveside, will take place after the memorial underwent an extensive redesign.

The Spencer family last year began the first major programme of works to the estate gardens in 350 years, saying they would “honour” the memory of Diana in time for the anniversary.

The Prince of Wales will be absent, performing royal duties in Ottawa to mark Canada Day with the Duchess of Cornwall. Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, and her sisters Lady Sarah Mccorquodale and Baroness Fellowes will also attend.

Earl Spencer’s third wife, Lady Spencer, whom he married in 2011, has overseen the renovation project.

Kensington Palace said in a brief statement: “The service, which will fall on what would have been the Princess’s birthday, will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and attended by her family.”

Last year, it was announced that Althorp would embark on an ambitious and extensive redesign of the Oval Lake, to “honour” Diana’s memory.

It came after criticism from her former personal chef, Darren Mcgrady, who visited the 500-year-old estate in August 2014, and posted a number of pictures of a moss-covered memorial on Twitter. He wrote then: “Sad to see Earl Spencer has neglected Diana’s resting place. Please tidy up the vegetation on the island.”