NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Princess Diana

Princess Diana's statue unveiling: Everything we know

Here's how the tribute will play out. - by Catie Powers
  • 30 Jun 2021

What would have been Princess Diana's 60th birthday is fast approaching and, despite being amidst a big brotherly feud, Princes Harry and William are honouring their late mother with a statue.

And, yes, it means they will have to be in the same room again.

WATCH: Princes William and Harry play with Princess Diana

Princess Diana's birthday falls on July 1st. This year, the beloved royal would have been 60 years old.

Since her untimely and devastating death back in 1997, the People's Princess' legacy has lived on. From her defiance of traditional royal customs, to her flair for fashion, Diana's lasting impact cannot be underplayed.

To commemorate the adored Princess of Wales, a statue of Diana has been commissioned to be unveiled on her birthday. Here's everything we know about the sweet tribute to the People's Princess. 

princess-diana-statue

In honour of what would have been her 60th birthday, a statue of Diana is to be unveiled on July 1st.

Getty

Who commissioned the statue?

Princes William and Harry commissioned the statue back in 2017... you know, back when things weren't so icy between the two brothers. 

"The statue that Prince William and Prince Harry have commissioned to commemorate their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, will be installed [in 2021] on what would have been her 60th Birthday," a statement from Kensington Palace read.

So, the tribute has been four years in the making and the final product will be revealed on July 1st.

princess-diana-harry-william

Diana's sons, William and Harry, commissioned the statue back in 2017.

Getty

Where will the statue be installed?

According to reports, the statue will lay in Diana's favourite spot - the grounds of Kensington Palace, also known as the Sunken Garden.

And this won't be the only tribute to the princess within the gorgeous grounds. In 2017, on the 20th anniversary of her death, Diana's favourite flowers (forget-me-knots, white lilies, roses, tulips, daises and narcissi) were scattered around the garden to commemorate her life and legacy.

In a sweet touch, the white colour scheme was reportedly an ode to Diana's personal style.

WATCH: Prince Charles admits to being unfaithful in his marriage to Diana (Story continues after video)

Who is the sculptor?

In other words, who is the brave soul taking on this potentially career-defining challenge that could see a bunch of Diana fans either shake their fists or clap their hands at the result?

The sculptor is Ian Rank-Broadley. If you don't recognise the name, you will probably recognise one of his creations. The artist designed the image of the Queen that is used on the UK's coins. 

Somehow, we think he's up to this challenge.

meghan-markle-prince-harry-prince-william-kate-middleton

While William and Harry are reportedly attending the unveiling, Meghan and Kate may not be making an appearance.

Getty

Who will be attending the unveiling?

While the guest list is currently up in the air, the commissioners of the statue - i.e. William and Harry - are, of course, said to be attending the tribute.

Prince Harry is currently officially in the UK and undertaking mandatory quarantine before the unveiling, and William is also expected to make an appearance - but the same can't be said for the royals' respective wives.

Indeed, although it was originally reported by US website Radar Online that the Duchess of Sussex would be accompanying Harry to his home country, more recent information suggests that this is not the case.

According to a report from the Daily Mirror, a source close to Harry and Meghan has explained why the duchess is staying in America while her husband makes the trip solo.

"Meghan is not going to travel," the insider told the publication. "She has just had a baby and Harry will travel alone." 

What's more, according to royal reporter Camilla Tominey, it seems that Kate Middleton may be taking a leaf out of her sister-in-law's book. 

"We've never really been told that family is going to be included in this thing," the royal expert told Today. "Never any suggestions that the Cambridges would attend along with Prince William and, equally, that Meghan and the children would attend with Harry. So I think we may just see them cut solo figures without their families around them." 

Guess we won't be seeing a fab four reunion anytime soon.

prince-philip-funeral-harry-william

William and Harry put on a united front at Prince Philip's funeral, will they do the same this time around?

Getty

Will William and Harry put up a united front?

Beats us.

The brothers, of course, stood sweetly united at their grandfather Prince Philip's funeral. However, if recent reports are anything to go by, we aren't going to be witnessing a brotherly embrace any time soon.

According to The Sun, William and Harry have insisted on giving separate speeches during the ceremony.

A source told the publication, “The brothers will be physically together for the ceremony but want to make their own personal addresses.

“You might have thought they’d go for a joint statement and speech but that’s not the case. Each has insisted on preparing their own."

They added: “It is a big concern that their body language will suggest all is not well and they won’t present a united front.”

We suppose only time will tell. 

  • Royals
  • Princess Diana
Catie Powers
Catie Powers
As a digital writer for New Idea, Catie Powers covers all things entertainment, lifestyle, and royals.

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Royal nanny to be paid 'significant' damages over false Prince Charles affair claims

Royal nanny to be paid 'significant' damages over false Prince Charles affair claims

Princess Diana's statue DIVIDES fans: 'It's too masculine!'

Princess Diana's statue DIVIDES fans: 'It's too masculine!'

Prince Harry and William reunite amid fiery feud

Prince Harry and William reunite amid fiery feud

Royal Rebel: Every time Diana broke protocol

Royal Rebel: Every time Diana broke protocol

{headline}

{headline}

Royal aides fear for Harry at Diana statue unveiling

Royal aides fear for Harry at Diana statue unveiling

Prince Harry makes his first appearance in the UK as he prepares to reunite with William

Prince Harry makes his first appearance in the UK as he prepares to reunite with William

A spirit set free: Princess Diana's life after divorce

A spirit set free: Princess Diana's life after divorce

{headline}

{headline}

Harry and William: 'We miss Diana so much'

Harry and William: 'We miss Diana so much'

Remembering Diana: Aussies ADORED her

Remembering Diana: Aussies ADORED her

Prince Harry prepares to return to the UK

Prince Harry prepares to return to the UK

Prince Harry's FURY over Diana's deceitful BBC interview

Prince Harry's FURY over Diana's deceitful BBC interview

Princess Diana's LEAKED letter reveals details of Harry & Will's relationship

Princess Diana's LEAKED letter reveals details of Harry & Will's relationship

Diana’s psychic's shock claims: "The rift will deepen"

Diana’s psychic's shock claims: "The rift will deepen"

WATCH: Princess Diana breaking a glass bottle over Prince Charles' head

WATCH: Princess Diana breaking a glass bottle over Prince Charles' head

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!