Diana statue ‘is a symbol of her life’, say princes
Sons pay tribute to their mother’s ‘love, strength and character’ at unveiling ceremony
HAD SHE lived, yesterday would have been a day of celebration to mark the 60th birthday of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Instead, the day was commemorated by her two sons, who revealed a long-awaited statue of the ‘People’s Princess’ in the gardens of her treasured London home, Kensington Palace.
Princes William and Harry’s relationship has been scrutinised closely since it was revealed that the once inseparable pair had had a major rift following the wedding of the Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle.
Harry had flown over for the ceremony from his home in California, and all eyes were on the pair as they uncovered the monument, which was designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.
But the two Dukes stood shoulder to shoulder and seemed to be chatting easily both with each other and with Diana’s siblings who travelled to the redesigned Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace yesterday for the unveiling.
And in a now rare joint statement after the unveiling, the Princes came together to pay tribute to Diana.
Prince William and Prince Harry 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 this statue be seen forever as a symbol of her life and legacy.”
The bronze statue shows Diana surrounded by children and depicts the Princess 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 Princes praised Mr RankBroadley and also Pip Morrison, who has redesigned the Sunken Garden, which has been filled with more than 4,000 flowers carefully chosen and feature many of the Princess’ favourites.
They said: “Thank you to Ian Rank-Broadley, Pip Morrison and their teams for their outstanding work, to the friends and donors who helped make this happen, and to all those around the world who help keep our mother’s memory alive.”
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 Godgiven part?’”
Members of the six-strong committee who planned and raised funds for the statue were also in attendance, including Diana’s sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, as well as her brother, Earl Spencer, who gave the memorable eulogy at the Princess’s funeral.
A force for good, changing countless lives for the better. Princes William and Harry pay tribute to their mother at the unveiling of the statue.