When Charles the Prince of Wales and heir to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom married British noble/nursery teacher Lady Diana Spencer, the union would create the magnificent legend of Diana, Princess of Wales, in her time the most illustrious figure of British royalty other than the Queen herself if her popular nickname of “The People’s Princess” were any indication. Despite the intrusion of paparazzi in her private life, she was able to do her duties as royal patroness, and then spokeswoman and advocate for numerous human rights issues.
Her death in a 1997 car accident was a sensationalized piece of news, as were her later state funeral and the massive tributes all over the world. Now, after nearly 20 years a statue is being commissioned by her sons in her honor, to be installed in London
About time
According to Diana’s sons, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, they believe that the time is right to have a commemorative statue erected of their mother, to be installed at the royal residence of Kensington Palace in London where she lived and her children still. Although the Princes have yet to choose a sculptor, according to a spokesperson they will soon have artwork ready for the finished statue, after an artist has been vetted for the project by a six-member committee led by the late Princess’ sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale.
In a joint statement Princes William and Harry remarked: "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." The announcement came sometime after an earlier interview at a London bereavement center wherein William noted how he had been “very angry” on account of Diana’s death.
His sentiments were echoed by his brother Harry, who said in a July 2016 interview that he never talked of his mother’s death for most of his life.
Support for honoring Diana
Already the royal Princes’ statue commission has earned a great deal of good press. Their grandmother the Queen has expressed her support, and Royal Historian Kate Williams believes the sculpture will help to cement Princess Diana’s legacy as a giant of charitable works, something William and Harry have carried on in her memory.
When finished, the Princess Diana statue will be the fourth monument dedicated to her in London alone. “Sunday Express” royal editor Camilla Towney says of the future statue, "There's a sense that people want to go somewhere and pay their respects two decades on."
