Statue of Princess Diana to be installed in Kensington Palace next year
A statue of Princess Diana commissioned by Prince William and Prince Harry will be installed next year in her favourite spot.
William and Harry commissioned a statue of their late mother on the 20th anniversary of her death, more than three years ago, but the final piece has been delayed.
Kensington Palace confirmed it would be installed on 1 July 2021, which would have been Diana’s 60th birthday.
The statue is said to have progressed through the design processes and be delayed primarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement from Kensington Palace said: “The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy.”
The statue will be placed in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, said to be one of Diana’s favourite spots.
The Sunken Garden was transformed into a White Garden in Diana’s memory in 2017, as the Royal Family marked two decades since her death on 31 August 1997.
It’s also where Harry and Meghan held a press conference when they announced their engagement.
Plans for the statue were revealed in January 2017, with the princes announcing: “It has been 20 years since our mother’s death and the time is right to recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue… Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy.”
That year the brothers also collaborated on a documentary about their mother, as they indicated it would be the last time they spoke publicly about her.
Tatler reported in May 2020 that the statue was unfinished, despite being commissioned years before, and its future looked less certain following Prince Harry’s decision to move to California with his wife Meghan.
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The princes agreed recently that they would split the ongoing income from Diana’s memorial fund, which is still given some legacy donations.
Harry and Meghan decided to leave their senior royal roles in January, after an extended break in Canada. They are now living in Los Angeles.
William and his wife Kate spent lockdown living in Norfolk, but could be returning to London ahead of the new school year, as two of their children go to school in Battersea.
