Princess Diana's Statue: Understanding Meaning Of The Children Standing With Her

Jul 02, 2021 by apost team

On July 1, Prince William and Prince Harry reunited for the first time since Prince Philip’s April funeral ceremony at Windsor Castle. The brothers came together at Kensington Palace on Thursday to commemorate and unveil a statue of their mother, Princess Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday.

Given the apparent rift that has grown between Harry and the royal family, the event was also notable in that it saw the Duke of Sussex return to his home country to be with his brother and other members of the royal family, whom he has openly criticized in the past year.

With Princess Diana's statue unveiling, many fans were curious if the brotherly tension would amount to a scene at the event. But reports of the July 1 unveiling have commented on the event’s low-key character and the brothers’ friendliness toward one another.

The unveiling’s low-key nature is partly attributable to the fact that COVID-19 restrictions meant that the event was only sparsely attended, though Harry and William were able to reunite with their late mother’s siblings: Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Charles Spencer.

The official statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, is located at the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, a spot that is said to have been her favorite on the grounds. The Guardian reports that the statue has been in the works since 2017, when plans were announced on Diana’s 20th death anniversary. The main unofficial memorial to the late princess has until now been a fountain in Hyde Park in London.

The new statue, sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley, shows Diana with short hair accompanied by three children. In front, a paving stone is engraved with words inspired by the poem “The Measure of Man.”

"The figure of Diana, Princess of Wales, is surrounded by three children who represent the universality and generational impact of the Princess’s work," Kensington Palace said regarding the statue’s special meaning.

The statement also continued, "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." 

Rank-Broadley, the prominent English artist who sculpted the commemorative piece, also commented on the artwork and the special occasion.

“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.

Fans from around the world took to social media to pay tribute to Diana on her 60th birthday and the new statue. Of course, the most important tribute came from the late princess’ children — William and Harry.

"Today, on what would have been our mother's 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character — qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better,” William and Harry said in their joint statement that accompanied the unveiling of their late mother’s statue. 

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"Every day, we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy,” they continued.

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.

It's been nearly 24 years since she tragically passed away in a car accident in Paris, but whenever we see photos of her it's still incredibly moving. This is a testament to how much the public adored her, and she's still often talked about and even featured in the media — whether for her charitable deeds or impeccable fashion sense.

Ahead of her 60th birthday on July 1, Tatler also reported that fans can enjoy a new Princess Diana documentary — “Diana at Sixty” — that came out in June 2021.

The documentary is directed by Robin Bextor, who has previously worked on docu-series such as Crown and Country as well as the TV documentary "Glyndebourne: The Untold History." The documentary will feature insights from the princess’s "friends, allies, people who worked with her, royal correspondents, media experts and those touched by her charity work," coming together to remember "the real Diana and her achievements," according to a press release. 

What do you think the children standing next to Diana represent? Do you like the sculpture? Let us know — and be sure to pass this on to friends, family members and fans of the royal family.