Set to be unveiled on July 1, on what would have been the princess’s 60th birthday, the statue was commissioned by Prince WilliamandPrince Harry, who announced the news back in 2017 on the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death. “It has been 20 years since our mother’s death and the time is right to recognize her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue,” her sons said at the time. “Our mother touched so many lives.” Here’s everything we know about the statue’s unveiling so far.
Where will the statue be located?
The statue will be placed in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, which was one of Diana’s favorite places during her 15 years living in Apartment 1A (now occupied by her son William and daughter-in-law Duchess Kate.) She lived here both during her marriage to Prince Charlesand after their divorce. In fact, in 2017, the garden was redesigned by palace gardeners to mark 20 years since Diana died in a car crash in Paris. Based on Diana’s life and style, the garden was planted entirely with white flowers including white lilies because Diana loved to decorate her apartment at Kensington Palace with them; forget-me-nots to represent the bittersweet pain of her passing; and white roses because “I think lots of people would refer to Princess Diana as the classic English rose,” according to head gardener Sean Harkin. Only three months later, Prince Harry and his new fiancée Meghan Markleposed for their engagement photocall in the garden—with Meghan wearing, appropriately, a white coat.
Who will attend the statue’s unveiling?
The relationship between Diana’s sons is currently frosty at best, but it’s expected that they will put aside their differences to present a united front at the unveiling ceremony. It’s likely that Kate will accompany William to the ceremony, and that they will bring along their three kids to pay tribute to the grandmother they never met. It looks as though Harry still intends to fly from California to London for the unveiling, as he did for his grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral in April. However, let’s keep in mind that his wife Meghan Markle is due to give birth this month or next—if the Sussexes’ daughter is born around July 1, Harry might decide to stay with his family and visit the statue in private some other time. At press time, it’s not known if Duchess Meghan will be attending. She gave birth to she and Prince Harry’s second baby, a daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, on Friday, June 4. It’s also not known whether Princes Charles and Camilla will attend. Reports suggest thatQueen Elizabeth IIwill not attend, so that her presence will not detract from the intent to honor Diana’s life.
Will William and Harry give speeches?
Whatever about showing a united front, the tension between the brothers was obvious at Philip’s funeral and there’s nothing to suggest that Harry has reconciled with William or their father Prince Charles. According to a source, William and Harry have “insisted” that they each give separate speeches at the ceremony.
What will the statue look like?
We’ll have to wait and see! But for a hint of what the statue might look like, you can check out the acclaimed sculptor’s other works—Ian Rankin Broadley is most well known for his effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, which has appeared on British coins since 1998. William and Harry were both on the committee that selected the sculptor to create a lasting memorial to their mother.
Will the ceremony be televised?
This is yet to be confirmed, but it’s safe to assume that the ceremony will be attended by members of the press.
Will this be the only tribute to Diana this year?
No! The Princess of Wales’ iconic wedding dress has just gone on display at Kensington Palace, in a glass box big enough to encapsulate its 25-ft train. The silk taffeta dress, by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel, is decorated with 10,000 pearls, panels of antique Carrickmacross lace, and encrusted with sequins. It also has a tiny, secret 18k gold horseshoe stitched into the petticoats for luck. Diana is also set to be celebrated by a special ‘blue plaque’ that will be installed outside the flat in London where she lived before marrying Charles. Blue plaques are awarded by the English Heritage Trust to commemorate the homes and workplaces of historically significant people. Next up,can you visit Princess Diana’s grave—and what dress was she buried in?
