ROYAL NEWS
Princess Diana statue unveiled on what would have been her 60th birthday: See photos
‘The portrait and style of dress was based on the final period’ of Princess Diana’s life
Prince William and Prince Harry unveiled a statue of their mother Princess Diana on Thursday to mark what would have been the late Princess of Wales’ 60th birthday (July 1). The bronze statue, which was first announced in 2017, depicts Prince George’s paternal grandmother surrounded by three kids “who represent the universality and generational impact” of Princess Diana’s work.
The palace noted that 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 figure of the royal, who passed away in 1997, “aims to reflect the warmth, elegance and energy of Diana, Princess of Wales, in addition to her work and the impact she had on so many people,” according to the palace.
The bronze statue, sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley, is situated in Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden, which was one of Princess Diana’s favorite locations. “Diana, Princess of Wales was an icon who touched the lives of people right around the world, so it has been a privilege to work alongside Prince William and Prince Harry on this statue which commemorates her life,” Ian said in a statement.
The sculptor added, “We wanted to capture her warmth and humanity while showcasing the impact she had across generations. I hope that people will enjoy visiting the statue and the Sunken Garden, and taking a moment to remember The Princess.”
Beneath the statue is a plinth engraved with the late royal’s name as well as the date of the unveiling. In front of the statue, there is a paving stone engraved with an extract after the poem The Measure of A Man, which was featured in the program for the 2007 memorial service for Diana: “These are the units to measure the worth / Of this woman as a woman regardless of birth / Not what was her station? / But had she a heart? / How did she play her God-given part?”
The statue of Princess Diana was commissioned by her sons in 2017 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her death. William and Harry wanted the statue to recognize their mother’s positive impact in the UK and around the world, and help future generations understand the significance of her place in history.
