Everything to Know About Princess Diana’s Statue Unveiling: When It’s Happening, Who’s Attending and More

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Everything to Know About Princess Diana's Statue Unveiling: When It's Happening, Who's Attending and More

Princess Diana was a one-of-a-kind member of the British royal family, and since her August 1997 death, Prince William and Prince Harry have worked hard to preserve her legacy. In January 2017, the brothers announced their plans to commission a statue in her honor. "It has been twenty years since our mother's death and the time is right to recognize her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue," William, now 38, and Harry, now 36, said in a joint statement at the time. "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." The project was initially slated to be unveiled later that year, but plans changed, and in August 2020, a new date was confirmed. "The statue will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on 1st July 2021, marking The Princess's 60th birthday," the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex announced at the time. "The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy." William and Harry's statement about the progress of their mother's memorial came in the midst of heightened tension between them following Harry and Meghan Markle's exit from the royal family in March 2020. One year later, the siblings' relationship took another sharp turn when the Suits alum, 39, and her husband spoke out about their experiences as senior royals in their CBS sit-down interview. Though things are currently rockier than ever between William and Harry, they're expected to put their issues aside for the unveiling. "Diana would not want her sons to be in this bitter fight — and William and Harry both know that all too well," a source told Us exclusively as the fallout from the tell-all continued. The duo reunited already once this year, coming together to honor their grandfather Prince Philip, who died in April at age 99. According to a royal insider, "the only topic they discussed" before the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral was Diana's statue. [jwplayer jOo8IOSB-l3ahXupL] "The conversation Harry and William had after the big interview didn't end well. And yes, they agreed over the statue, but communication between them was sparse and over email and WhatsApp," the insider explained last month. Harry has been "trying not to overthink" what may go down at the upcoming tribute, but the pair are fully aware that "all eyes will be on them" that day. "Critics will be analyzing their every move and how they interact with each other," the source continued. "[William] doesn't believe that it’s feasible for them to reunite in the public eye without showing signs of tension if they don't thrash out their differences in advance." During his brief April visit to the U.K., Harry "made some progress" with his older brother — but things still haven't been totally hashed out. "They definitely haven't reached the stage where all is forgiven nor have they buried the hatchet," a second source revealed in May. Keep scrolling to learn more details about the upcoming unveiling of Diana's statue: [podcast_block]

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Everything to Know About Princess Diana's Statue Unveiling: When It's Happening, Who's Attending and More

Princess Diana was a one-of-a-kind member of the British royal family, and since her August 1997 death, Prince William and Prince Harry have worked hard to preserve her legacy. In January 2017, the brothers announced their plans to commission a statue in her honor. "It has been twenty years since our mother's death and the time is right to recognize her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue," William, now 38, and Harry, now 36, said in a joint statement at the time. "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." The project was initially slated to be unveiled later that year, but plans changed, and in August 2020, a new date was confirmed. "The statue will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on 1st July 2021, marking The Princess's 60th birthday," the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex announced at the time. "The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy." William and Harry's statement about the progress of their mother's memorial came in the midst of heightened tension between them following Harry and Meghan Markle's exit from the royal family in March 2020. One year later, the siblings' relationship took another sharp turn when the Suits alum, 39, and her husband spoke out about their experiences as senior royals in their CBS sit-down interview. Though things are currently rockier than ever between William and Harry, they're expected to put their issues aside for the unveiling. "Diana would not want her sons to be in this bitter fight — and William and Harry both know that all too well," a source told Us exclusively as the fallout from the tell-all continued. The duo reunited already once this year, coming together to honor their grandfather Prince Philip, who died in April at age 99. According to a royal insider, "the only topic they discussed" before the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral was Diana's statue. [jwplayer jOo8IOSB-l3ahXupL] "The conversation Harry and William had after the big interview didn't end well. And yes, they agreed over the statue, but communication between them was sparse and over email and WhatsApp," the insider explained last month. Harry has been "trying not to overthink" what may go down at the upcoming tribute, but the pair are fully aware that "all eyes will be on them" that day. "Critics will be analyzing their every move and how they interact with each other," the source continued. "[William] doesn't believe that it’s feasible for them to reunite in the public eye without showing signs of tension if they don't thrash out their differences in advance." During his brief April visit to the U.K., Harry "made some progress" with his older brother — but things still haven't been totally hashed out. "They definitely haven't reached the stage where all is forgiven nor have they buried the hatchet," a second source revealed in May. Keep scrolling to learn more details about the upcoming unveiling of Diana's statue: [podcast_block]

Credit: David Levenson/Shutterstock

When Is It?

In August 2020, William and Harry confirmed that the installation of their mother's statue would take place on July 1, 2021, which would have been her 60th birthday.

Diana's sons originally proposed the project in January 2017 ahead of the 20th anniversary of her passing that August. "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," the brothers wrote in a joint statement at the time. 

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Where Is It?

The statue will be placed in Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden, a location said to have been one of the late Princess of Wales' favorites on the grounds. The garden was previously transformed into a memorial for Diana and covered in white flowers on the 20th anniversary of her death in August 2017. 

Credit: Shutterstock

Who's Attending?

William and Harry are both expected to appear and pay homage to their late mother, despite their currently frosty relationship. "For all their differences, the two are still totally bonded on preserving their mother's legacy," a source told Us exclusively in March, shortly after Harry's bombshell CBS tell-all. 

Their wives' presence at the event, however, remains up in the air. Meghan and Harry are expecting their second child this summer, and as was the case for Philip's funeral in April, she may be unable to fly. Duchess Kate's attendance has also not yet been confirmed. 

Credit: Mauro Carraro/Shutterstock

Who's the Sculptor?

Ian Rank-Broadley, a highly acclaimed British artist, was commissioned to work on the special tribute back in December 2017 before the statue unveiling was put on hold. Rank-Broadley is also known for designing the U.K.'s coins, which feature the queen's face. 

Credit: Mandatory Credit: Photo by David

A Family Affair

In June 2021, Kensington Palace confirmed that both Harry, who is currently in the U.K., and William would attend the unveiling along with other unnamed relatives of Diana. "Prince William and Prince Harry will attend a small event to mark the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace on Thursday 1st July," a spokesperson for the palace said in a statement. "In addition to close family of Diana, Princess of Wales, members of the statue committee, the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, and garden designer, Pip Morrison, will also be present."