Princess Diana's Statue Pays Homage To Late Royal's Signature Style

Jul 02, 2021 by apost team

Nearly 25 years after Princess Diana's funeral, Prince William and Harry have come together to pay tribute to their mother in the final completion of a project that started back in 2017. On what would have been Diana's 60th birthday, a statue was unveiled in her honor at the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, a spot that is said to have been her favorite on the grounds. However, the statue is not the only new addition to the garden. Over 4,000 flowers in total have been newly planted, as well as other garden renovations had been made in preparation for the event. 

Diana was universally loved by not only the British public but also by people the world over. She used her influence to enact good, spending much of her time campaigning for humanitarian causes that improved the lives of others. She sat with people who were ill, helping to break the stigma of the then-new disease AIDS. These are the reasons she became known as the "People's Princess" — she was a shining beacon of light in the royal family.

Along with her humanitarian causes, Diana was also known to be a fashion icon of her time and her newly unveiled statue takes both into account. The bronze piece features Diana wearing a loose blouse and pencil skirt with a clinched waist as she stands with three young children, a detail with a very special meaning. The statue captures the essence of Diana and her work, and based on the photos of the event, both Harry and William have embraced it. 

The Daily Mail reported that the style of dress used for the statue is reminiscent of a number of outfits that have been worn by Diana. She would favor a cinched-waist look thanks to a pencil skirt and belt combo, and this is reflected beautifully in the newly unveiled piece. According to Express UK, Kensington Palace said, "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."

According to News Corp Australia, the sculptor may have found inspiration for the statue from Diana's 1993 Christmas card. The card featured her in a similar belted pencil skirt and blouse, but with a young Prince William and Harry.

The Christmas card was the first one sent out since her divorce from Prince Charles. The similarity between the photo and the statue is striking. The pleated blouse, jeweled belt, and sleek skirt on the statue are almost an identical replica to her outfit in the 1993 card. Diana also wore a similar look in July of 1988 while she and her sons were on summer vacation in Majorca. 

On another occasion she was seen wearing a similar outfit during a trip to Egypt in 1992; the late royal wore a pale blue pleated skirt featuring the same thick pleated belt, while a third example shows her wearing a lemon-colored skirt and blouse as she walked with a 10-year-old boy whom she met on a visit to Cairo. The statue certainly captures Diana's classy and elegant style. 

apost.com

The British sculptor behind the statue of Diana is Ian Rank-Broadley, who is acclaimed for his work, including designs that he's produced for British coinage. His work features in prestigious permanent collections of the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London, as well as St Paul's Cathedral, which is where Diana and Prince Charles were married in July 1981.

"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 alongside Prince William and Prince Harry on this statue which commemorates her life," Rank-Broadley said of his work.

"We wanted to capture her warmth and humanity while showcasing the impact she had across generations. I hope that people will enjoy visiting the statue and the Sunken Garden, and taking a moment to remember the princess," he continued.

The statue also has the Princess of Wales surrounded by three children, which is a detail with a very special meaning according to Express UK. After revealing the statue, Kensington Palace released a statement saying, "The figure of Diana, Princess of Wales, is surrounded by three children who represent the universality and generational impact of the Princess’s work."

The statue also has a paving stone engraved in front of it with an extract after the poem The Measure of A Man, which was featured in the program for the 2007 memorial service for Diana, and reads, "These are the units to measure the worth; Of this woman as a woman regardless of birth. Not what was her station? But had she a heart?" 

William and Harry reportedly consider the statue to be both a commemoration of their mother and a reminder of the impact she had on the UK as well as the world. 

What do you think about the statue's homage to Princess Diana's sense of style? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to your friends and family!