All smiles: Princes team up to unveil statue of their mother
The Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex reunited yesterday as they paid tribute to their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, saying ‘every day, we wish she were still with us’ as they unveiled her long-awaited statue at Kensington Palace on what would have been her 60th birthday
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 long-awaited statue.
In the shadow of their mother's likeness cast in bronze, 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 forever 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 in a shrub-lined path outside the garden to chat to the chairman of the statue committee, Jamie Lowtherpinkerton.
The troubled relationship of the royal brothers has made headlines around the world but as they entered the garden where the statue is positioned 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 and 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, whowouldhavecelebratedher 60th birthday on Thursday, 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,eleganceandenergy", whilethechildrenrepresentthe "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."
Sculptor Ian Rank-broadley'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 forget-me-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 Harryonthisstatuewhichcommemorates her life.”
Infrontofthestatueisapaving stone engraved with an extract inspiredbythepoemthemeasure Of A Man: "These are the units to measure the worth of thiswomanasawomanregardless of birth. Not 'What was her station?' but 'Had she a heart? How did she play her God-given part?'"