By Sheila Mckenzie-
The Long-awaited statue of Diana, Princess of Wales was finally unveiled in a scaled-down ceremony on Thursday which saw the dukes of Cambridge and Sussex reunited in tribute to their mother, setting aside any differences they have.
The brothers, reported to have fallen out over a family feud embroiling his wife Meghan Markle, appeared together for the first time since the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral to commemorate their mother’s legacy on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Prince William and Prince Harry and the two pulled a cord to unveil a sculpture, cast in bronze, of Diana surrounded by three children, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, her former home in London.
A limited guest list due to coronavirus restrictions included Diana’s siblings, Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, as well as the statue committee and others involved in the installation and the garden design. Prince Charles was absent, as was the Queen. They brothers commented on changes to the Sunken Garden, which Kensington Palace said had been “one of the princess’s favourite locations” when she lived there.
William and Harry made no speeches during the ceremony. In a brief joint statement, released after the unveiling, they 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.”
In the statue, Diana is surrounded by three children who represent the universality and generational impact of her work. Ahead of the unveiling, members of the public arrived outside the gates of Kensington Palace to pay their tributes with flags, portraits and balloons.
The entire statue aims to reflect the warmth, elegance and energy of the late Diana, as well the impact she had on so many people. In the statue, Diana is surrounded by three children who represent the universality and generational impact of the Princess’s work.
The style of the statue, as well as the dress, were inspired by the final period of Diana’s life, as she thrived in the role of ambassador for humanitarian causes.
Underneath the statue is a plinth engraved with the Princess’s name and the date of the unveiling. In front of it is a paving stone engraved with the an extract of the poem The Measure of a Man which featured in Diana’s memorial service.
Princess Diana died in 1997 following a car crash after being chased by pepparazzi.
She died from internal bleeding and other injuries sustained during a car crash in Paris, France.
Diana was travelling with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed in a car driven by Henri Paul.
Diana and Charles famously split in 1992, but finalized their divorce in 1996.
Driver Paul, who died in the accident, is believed to have been trying to speed away from photographers.