The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Princes put differences aside to show off tribute
Diana statue unveiled
The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex have jointly paid tribute to their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, saying “every day, we wish she were still with us” as they reunited for the unveiling of her longawaited statue.
In the shadow of their mother’s bronze likeness, William and Harry – divided on many issues – put on a united front.
In a statement released after the brief ceremony, the brothers said: “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.
“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.”
With Diana’s siblings watching, William and Harry pulled away a green cloth covering the monument which will remind visitors to her former home of Kensington Palace about its most famous resident.
They stood either side of the statue looking at the memorial, with Harry resting his hands on his hips.
William and Harry, who looked smart in dark suits with ties, arrived a few minutes early for the unveiling and stopped on a shrub-lined path outside the garden to chat to the chairman of the statue committee, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.
The troubled relationship of the royal brothers has made headlines around the world but as they entered the garden where the statue is located they mirrored each other, walking with their left hands touching their stomachs.
Harry let out a laugh of appreciation when he saw his mother’s siblings while older brother William, who was a step ahead, greeted Lady Sarah McCorquodale kissing her on both cheeks and went on to warmly welcome his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes and uncle Earl Spencer.
William and Harry appeared in good spirits throughout the event, laughing and joking with their guests and appearing at ease in each other’s company.
The figure of the princess is surrounded by three children and depicts Diana, with short cropped hair, in the later years of her life.
Kensington Palace said the statue aims to reflect Diana’s “warmth, elegance and energy”, while the children represent the “universality and generational impact of the princess’s work”.
It added: “The portrait and style of dress was based on the final period of her life as she gained confidence in her role as an ambassador for humanitarian causes and aims to convey her character and compassion.”
The royal brothers made no speeches, with the statue standing as their testimony to their mother.
Sculptor Ian RankBroadley’s artwork was erected in the palace’s Sunken Garden, one of the places Diana loved most at the palace.
The space has been redesigned during the past two years and features more than 4,000 individual flowers, including forgetme-nots which were adored by the princess.
The artist said: “Diana, Princess of Wales was an icon who touched the lives of people right around the world so it has been a privilege to work alongside Prince William and Prince Harry on this statue which commemorates her life.
“We wanted to capture her warmth and humanity while showcasing the impact she had across generations.
“I hope that people will enjoy visiting the statue and the Sunken Garden, and taking a moment to remember the princess.”
In front of the statue is a paving stone engraved with an extract inspired by the poem The Measure Of A Man: “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 God-given part?’”