The absence of either son at such a ceremony would be unthinkable
It seems a long time since William and Harry, umbrellas in hand, took an emotional stroll through a “white” memorial garden planted at Kensington Palace to mark the 20th anniversary of their mother’s death. Joined by the Duchess of Cambridge, the royal brothers appeared closer than ever as they collaborated on a series of projects to remember the woman who had insisted on bringing them up as equals. Back then in 2017, the Duke and the Prince were sharing a home and offices at Kensington Palace, where they spent their childhood, and worked together on charitable projects.
They even contributed to two moving documentaries when they opened up for the first time about losing their mother when they were just 15 and 12 in August 1997. William spoke of “feeling completely numb, disorientated,” in the wake of Diana’s death, while Harry described her as “the best mum in the world”.
Yet while William appeared to have come to terms with the tragedy, Harry later confided to The Daily Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon that he was still struggling with his grief. Last October, amid reports of growing tensions between the Cambridges and the Sussexes, he deemed his mother’s death as a “wound that festers”.
By the time they unveiled the “White Garden”, they had already announced ”the time was right” for a long-awaited statue immortalising a princess who had “touched so many lives”. Yet three years on and following months of headlines concerning their fractured relationship, there were fears the memorial might not materialise at all amid reports they had failed to agree on what it should look like.
Naturally, royal observers were concerned that two brothers who had been so closely united by their grief could not even come to an agreement about something of such shared personal significance.
Which is what makes yesterday’s rare joint announcement so welcome. For it confirms that William and Harry have not only managed to reach a truce over the design – but may even be reunited for its installation.
In 2017, when sculptor Ian Rankbroadley was announced, they said: “We look forward to unveiling the statue, which will allow all those who visit Kensington Palace to remember and celebrate her life and legacy.”
The latest update from Kensington Palace is more circumspect, only confirming that the statue will be revealed to mark what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday next year to “help all those who visit reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy”. As yet there is no certainty over whether William and Harry will both be present for the unveiling on July 1 2021. Yet the absence of either of Diana’s beloved sons at such a longawaited occasion would surely be unthinkable.
Debate as to how Diana should be commemorated began almost immediately after her funeral at Westminster Abbey. If there is one thing William and Harry should be able to agree on – it is that they should both be there to witness the moment their mother’s legacy is set in stone, never to be forgotten.