A STATUE in memory of Princess Diana was unveiled in Kensington Gardens on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Prince Harry and Prince William reunited for the unveiling as they put aside their differences to attend today’s ceremony.
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Where is the new Princess Diana statue?
The statue was unveiled at Kensington Palace sunken garden.
The Celeb Reportken Garden was chosen as it as a place Diana loved and which now boasts 4,000-plus individual flowers.
The special statue is designed to be viewed from the Cradle Walk, which boasts an arched arbour of lime trees and is free to visitors during the palace’s opening hours.
How can I visit the Diana statue?
Fans can visit the memorial today for free.
Some fans were waiting at 10am – when the memorial opened to the public – to get a glimpse of the memorial.
Guests do not have to pay to see the statue, which is in the surrounding grounds of the palace.
Members of the public will only have to pay to tour Kensington Palace itself, along with the various exhibits including to see Diana’s wedding dress.
Kensington Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays, but open from 10am until 6pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Members of the Historic Royal Palaces can tour for free, while adult non-members must pay £23 and children £11.50.
Who are the children in the statue?
The significance of the three children has been revealed by Kensington Palace.
The palace said in a statement: “The figure of Diana, Princess of Wales, is surrounded by three children who represent the universality and generational impact of The Princess’ work.”
It added: “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.”
Sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley said: “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 with Prince William and Prince Harry on this statue, which commemorates her life.
“We wanted to capture her warmth and humanity while showcasing the impact she had across generations.
“I hope people will enjoy visiting the statue and the Sunken Garden, taking a moment to remember the Princess.”
Who designed the statue?
The statue is the work of Ian Rank-Broadley, an acclaimed artist who has a long track record of creating images of the royal family.
In 1997, he won a Royal Mint competition and his effigy of The Queen appeared on both British and Commonwealth coins.
He designed the joint portrait of The Queen and Prince Philip for the crown coin celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary in 2007.
He was also commissioned to design a coin for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
His sculptures can be seen in prominent museums across the world, including the British Museum, the Ashmolean Museum, and the Rijksmuseum.
A palace insider confirmed that William and Harry had been involved in the statue’s design – including advising the sculptor even on how her nose should look.
