To mark what would have been the princess’s 60th birthday, her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry unveiled a statue of her at London’s Kensington Palace during a private ceremony on Thursday. The statue depicts a towering Diana, flanked by children who represents her global charity work.
In a joint statement, William and 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”.
The sculpture was a beautiful piece done by British sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, whose image of Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on all UK and Commonwealth coins since 1998. Prince William and Harry commissioned the statue in 2017, the year that marked the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s tragic death in a car crash in 1997. No images of the work leaked, so the reveal on Thursday was the first time most people have seen the Diana statue.
There are three children depicted in the statue, albeit one is hidden behind another, making it look as though there are only two at first glance. And they are not based on specific children, but are meant to be universal.
“The figure of Diana, Princess of Wales, is surrounded by three children who represent the universality and generational impact of the princess’ work,” according to a statement from Kensington Palace.
Diana isn’t wearing one of her iconic ballgowns, but a simple, classic, belted dress that appears to show her in an outfit she wore on for the picture on a 1993 Christmas card.
“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 statement reads.
The statue stands in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace, where it is reportedly a special place to the late princess. The garden was replanted in white flowers, taking inspirations from Diana’s wardrobe, during the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017.
In preparation of the sculpture, more than 4,000 individual flowers, including the princess’ favourite, forget-me-nots, have been planted. “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 brothers said Thursday.
