Finally, the larger-than-life sculpture by Ian Rank-Broadley has been officially unveiled, in the garden that was one of Diana’s favorite places when she was alive. Revealed on what would have been the Princess of Wales’ 60th birthday, the statue depicts Diana surrounded by three children. In a statement, Kensington Palace said that the statue conveys Diana’s “warmth, elegance and energy” and is 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.” The figures of the three children symbolize the “universality and generational impact” by Diana’s work. The plinth is engraved with her name—‘Diana, Princess of Wales’—an an extract from the poem ‘The Measure of a Man’: 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? How did she play her God-given part? William and Harry, who have not seen each other since Prince Philip’s funeral in April, put aside their differences for the ceremony, releasing a joint statement that said, “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. “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. “Thank you to Ian Rank-Broadley, Pip Morrison and their teams for their outstanding work, to the friends and donors who helped make this happen, and to all those around the world who keep our mother’s memory alive.” The statement was also posted as a caption on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s official Instagram account and was signed ‘William and Harry.’ Present at the unveiling alongside William and Harry were Diana’s siblings Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes; Ian Rank-Broadley; garden designer Pip Morrison; and Rubert Gavin, the Chair of Historic Royal Palaces. Next up, How the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace Has Been Redesigned to Highlight the New Statue of Princess Diana
