The statue that was designed to celebrate Princess Diana’s life, was unveiled on the 1st July, on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Both of Diana’s sons, Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex were together once again to pull the cord and unveil the statue.
The statue was designed by Ian Rank – Broadley who is a royal favourite and is famously known for his work designing the British coinage.
The bronze statue that Ian designed, is of Diana holding hands with 3 young children, a statement from Kensington Palace explained the reasons for the children ‘represent the universality and generational impact of The Princess’ work’ going on to comment how the ‘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 outfit on the statue resembles a photo that she had taken with William and Harry, for a Christmas card photo shoot in 1993. (as pictured below)
With regards to the boys, they seemed to put their apparent differences aside for this special event with a joint statement, instead of separate ones like some originally thought they would do.
The statement read:
“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.”
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield says how the two of them reading a joint statement pushes the idea away that they still have unresolved tension, and how it is a ‘’classic Buckingham Palace strategy’’ similar to when Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their divorce back in 1996, how ‘’they were eager to make the divorce look amicable’’.
Another source says how:
“The idea of rival speeches could have been disastrous, but to bring out a considered joint statement was perfect and shows a way ahead”
Hopefully this is the ‘thing’ they need to move on from the past year they have battled against each other.
