By Lucy Caulkett-
Prince Harry and Prince William have put their differences aside, and united to unveil a statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, saying “every day we wish she were still with us”.
Prince William and Prince Harry came together for a ceremony in Kensington Palace’s redesigned Sunken Garden, on what would have been their mother’s 60th birthday. The two brothers put aside whatever personal differences they may have, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder to unveil the bronze statue of their mother in the Sunken Garden, which became a place of solace for Diana before her death in 1997. The garden was replanted with 4,000 of Diana’s favourite flowers in honour of the event.
It was the first appearance of the siblings together since the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in April.
“We remember her love, strength and character,” they said.
“Qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better.”
They said they hoped the statue would “be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy” and thanked “all those around.
The statue is intended to personify the warmth, elegance and energy of Diana, and the impact she had on so many people. The style of the statue, as well as the dress, were inspired by the final period of the princess’s life, as she thrived in the role of ambassador for humanitarian causes.
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.
The statue was sculpted in bronze by Ian Rank Broadley and was cast by Castle Fine Arts Foundry in the traditional “lost-wax” process, with a patina of bluish green over black
Upon the unveiling, the Prince’s released a joint statement that 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 legacy.”
The brothers expressed hope that it would help visitors to the palace “reflect on her life and her legacy”.
Kensington Palace said the Sunken Garden had been “one of the princess’s favourite locations” when she lived there.
More than 4,000 flowers have been planted for the garden’s redesign, which has taken 1,000 hours to complete.
The garden, which sits within London’s Hyde Park, will be open to the public to visit for free from Friday, in line with Kensington Palace’s opening hours.
Princess Diana’s siblings also reunited at Kensington Palace today for the unveiling of their sister’s statue on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 66, Lady Jane Fellowes, 64, and Charles, Earl Spencer, 57, joined their nephews Prince William, 39, and Prince Harry, 36, for the intimate ceremony in the remodeled Sunken Garden.
The warmth between the princes and their aunts was clear as they greeted each other with an affectionate kiss on the cheek. Lady Sarah beamed as she held onto Harry’s shoulder and appeared to whisper something into his ear.