A new statue depicting Princess Diana ‘in the final period of her life’ aims to reflect her ‘warmth, elegance and energy’, Kensington Palace said today – as it was unveiled to a mixed reaction from the public.
Well-wishers called the monument ‘lovely’ and ‘gorgeous’, while one Twitter user wrote: ‘Wonderful, I knew it would be Diana with kids.’
However, others called the bronze unrealistic, with one commentator writing: ‘Ok, I’ll be the first to say it, I’m underwhelmed by the statue. Not a good likeness of Diana and what is she wearing?’
Princes William and Harry put aside their feud today to honour their mother in what would have been her 60th birthday.
Well-wishers described the monument, unveiled by Princes William and Harry today, as ‘lovely’ and ‘gorgeous’ as one Twitter user wrote: ‘Wonderful, I knew it would be Diana with kids
A smiling Duke of Sussex after the unveiling a statue commissioned of his mother Diana
However, alongside the praise, others called the bronze unrealistic, with one commentator writing: ‘Ok, I’ll be the first to say it, I’m underwhelmed by the statue. Not a good likeness of Diana and what is she wearing?’
The bronze made by Ian Rank-Broadley shows Diana with her arms around two children, and towered over the brothers as they revealed it to the world this afternoon.
In a joint statement The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex said: ‘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 added: ‘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’.
‘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.’
Before the event, William appeared to be talking earnestly to his brother, who looked serious as they walked towards the ceremony in an area packed with 4,000 of Diana’s most-loved flowers and plants surrounding a rectangular pool of water.
Commissioned by the brothers in 2017 to memorialise their mother and mark the twentieth anniversary of her death, Kensington Palace said the princes ‘wanted the statue to recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world, and help future generations understand the significance of her place in history’.
‘The statue aims to reflect the warmth, elegance and energy of Diana, Princess of Wales, in addition to her work and the impact she had on so many people,’ it added.
The portrait and style of dress featured was based on the ‘final period of her life as she gained confidence in her role as an ambassador for humanitarian causes’, they said. It added that the statue ‘aims to convey her character and compassion’. Beneath the statue is a plinth engraved with the Princess’ name and the date of the unveiling.
In front of it is a paving stone engraved with an extract after the poem The Measure of A Man by Albert Schweitzer, which was read at the 2017 memorial service marking the 20th anniversary of her death. It read: ‘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?’
The brothers, who have been split by Harry’s decision to leave the UK, were seen chatting in the grounds of Kensington Palace moments before the grand unveiling.
The brothers smiled as at the same time they pulled away the green cover to reveal the bronze sculpture by Ian Rank-Broadley
The bronze made by Ian Rank-Broadley shows Diana with her arms around two children, and towered over the brothers as they revealed it to the world this afternoon
The princes with sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, whose likeness of the Queen’s head adorns coins in the UK and the Commonwealth
The statue shows Diana wearing a sleek open-necked blouse, a wide belt and a pencil skirt.
Her hands are gently placed on the shoulders of two of the children – a boy and a girl, with the girl holding the princess’s hand.
Sculpted by renowned artist Ian Rank-Broadley, the monument is 1.25x life size and was cast by Castle Fine Arts Foundry in the traditional ‘lost-wax’ process, with a patina of a bluish green over black.
The cast is hollow and is supported by a stainless-steel armature.
Beneath the statue is a plinth engraved with the princess’ name and the date of the unveiling.
In front of the statue is a paving stone engraved with an extract inspired by The Measure of A Man poem.
It 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?
‘How did she play her God-given part?’
The delayed statue, which was due to be unveiled before the end of 2017, is situated in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace, which was one of Diana’s favourite places.
The brothers both smiled as the statue was revealed, with Harry collecting the cover from his older brother
Sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex after the unveiling of a statue
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