4 Facts about the Newly Unveiled Princess Diana Statue
Prince William and Harry unveiled the statue of Princess Diana at Sunken Park, Kensington Palace, London, England, Thursday (1/6/2021). Kensington Palace was one of their late mother's favorite places in her lifetime. The brothers, whose relationship has been strained in recent years, looked relaxed when they together unveiled the statue. Here are some facts about the inauguration of the statue of Princess Diana that we need to know:
1. Diana's 60th birthday
Diana Spencer was born on July 1, 1961. The day before the statue was unveiled was supposed to be Diana's 60th birthday. Diana died in a car accident on August 31, 1997 at the age of 36. Prince William and Harry hope that the statue can be a lasting memory for the life and legacy of the mother.
"Today, on what should 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 many lives for the better." "Every day, we still hope that he is still with us. Our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of his life and legacy," they said in a statement.
2. The work of sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley
The statue was created by Ian Rank-Broadley, the sculptor who poured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on coins used in England and the Commonwealth of Nations. In 2017, he was asked by William and Harry to make a statue of their mother in his honor. The bluish-green bronze statue shows Diana, with her short cropped hair, surrounded by three children. These children represent the universality and impact of generations on Diana's works. "Diana, Princess of Wales, is an icon who touched the lives of many people around the world. It has been an honor to work with Prince William and Prince Harry on a statue that commemorates the life of their mother." "We wanted to capture his warmth and humanity while showing the impact he has had from generation to generation," Ian said, as reported by The Guardian. At the bottom of the statue, the inscription of Diana's name and the date of the statue's inauguration is embedded. While in front of the statue is a paving stone engraved with extracts, inspired by the poem The Measure Of A Man which was featured at the memorial service for Diana's death in 2007. The statue can be seen by the public during Kensington Palace opening hours.
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. pic.twitter.com/jsZXyUsG7q
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 1, 2021
3. Attended by Diana's brother
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced guests at the inauguration of the statue to be limited. The inauguration situation was so intimate with only a few guests. Apart from William and Harry, Diana's sisters Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes were also present, as well as the sculpture committee and several others involved in the installation and design of the garden. Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton were not present at the event.
4. Planned since 2017
In 2017, right on the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, plans for the statue were first made public. Rank-Broadley said William and Harry helped provide photos, memories and anecdotes about their mother whenever they visited her studio regularly. He said it was a collaborative effort to produce a statue that truly represents the figure of Princess Diana. Rank-Broadley said he paid the most attention to what the two princes had to say. He hopes that the statue can provide a sense of comfort for William and Harry.
