National Post (National Edition)
ALL EYES WERE ON WILLIAM AND HARRY AS THEY UNVEILED PRINCESS DIANA STATUE.
Princes unite to unveil statue of their mother
LONDON • Immortalized in bronze, Diana, Princess of Wales, towered over her two sons Thursday, a powerful presence in death, as in life.
The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex set aside their differences to unveil the long-anticipated memorial to their mother, one they had heavily influenced, each playing an integral role in its design.
Following a brief ceremony in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, the brothers issued a joint statement that illustrated the devastating loss they continue to feel, 24 years on.
“Today, on what would have been our mother's 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character — qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better,” they said. “Every day, we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy.”
The bronze statue, which is life size, is based on the final period of the Princess's life as she “gained confidence” in her humanitarian role.
It was designed to reflect her “warmth, elegance and energy” as well as her work and the effect she had on so many.
The style of dress is inspired by her later years and aims to convey her character and compassion, and the figure is surrounded by three children who represent “the universality and generational impact” of her work.
Ian Rank-Broadley, its sculptor, said: “I think we felt if the princess stood on her own in solitary fashion she might appear isolated.”
While the Gloucestershire-based artist insisted that the statue was not based on any one specific photograph, the Princess's outfit is remarkably similar to the belted skirt and blouse she wore in an image on her 1993 Christmas card.
It was the first card she released after separating from the Prince of Wales and in it, she was pictured alongside her young sons. The way the Princess is depicted with her arms protectively draped around the children is reminiscent of many images. One of them looks not unlike a 13-year-old girl called Sandra Tigica, who the Princess met in Angola in January 1997, only months before she died.
Another of the children could have been inspired by a boy who she posed alongside in Bosnia, barely three weeks before her death, as she highlighted the devastation caused by landmines.
Beneath the statue is a plinth engraved with the Princess's name, the date and the names of her sons.
Before it, a paving stone is etched with an extract from the poem The Measure of A Man, which featured in the programme for her 2007 memorial service.
It reads: “These are the units to measure the worth/ Of this woman as a woman regardless of birth.
“Not what was her station? But had she a heart? How did she play her Godgiven part?”
Prince William, 39, and Prince Harry, 36, were joined at the private ceremony by a small coterie of Diana's closest family and friends, including her brother Earl Spencer and sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes. The six-strong statue committee, headed by Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the brothers' former private secretary, was also there, alongside Rank-Broadley and Pip Morrison, the garden designer.
All eyes were on the body language between the warring brothers, both of whom were said to be determined to put their differences aside and to remain professional. They did just that, managing to ensure that any remaining animosity did not overshadow the ceremony. Prince Harry, in particular, appeared relaxed and animated, greeting his aunts and uncle warmly with kisses and laughter.
Both were interested in changes to the garden, which was redesigned to incorporate some of their mother's favourite plants, including more than 200 roses, 500 lavender plants, 300 tulips, 100 dahlias and 100 forget-me-nots.
As the brothers were ushered into position for the big reveal, shortly after 2 p.m., Prince William asked: “Ready?” before they simultaneously pulled off the cloth to gentle applause.
Rank-Broadley said: “I hope that will give them some sort of comfort or solace.”
The Queen was whisked from Scotland to Windsor by helicopter Thursday to attend the Windsor Horse Show. She will today host Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, at Windsor Castle.