The Reasons Princess Diana's Statue Location Has Special Meaning for Prince Harry & Meghan Markle
Royal brothers Prince William and Prince Harry reunite for the unveiling of a statue in honor of their mother ahead of what would have been her 60th birthday; they chose a special location as the statue's abode.
Prince William and his brother Prince Harry have never hidden their love and admiration for their mother, the late Princess of Wales, Princess Diana, who died in a tragic car crash in 1997.
Over the last few years, the brothers have joined hands in building a statue in honor of their mother to mark what would have been her 60th birthday, and they chose a location with a special meaning to Harry.
Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 9, 2020 | Photo: Getty Images
HIDDEN MEANING OF WHITE GARDEN
As the world watches the royal brothers honor their mother in a special way, not many know that the location of the statue unveiling has a special meaning for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.
The finished statue, which was sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley, will be placed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace, a special spot of Diana's during her time living there.
In November 2017, Prince Harry alongside Markle, stood in Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden to share the happy news of their engagement with the press. That same year, the garden was labeled “The White Garden” in honor of Diana’s 20th death anniversary.
Kensington Palace is a historical place for many members of the royal family who at one time or the other lived there. For example, Princess Diana lived there during her separation from Prince Charles, while Harry and William also made it their base at some point.
Princess Diana, with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry at the Heads of State VE Remembrance Service in Hyde Park on May 7, 1995 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images
Sean Harkin, head gardener at Kensington Palace, revealed that Princess Diana had a special liking for the White Garden and would often stop to chat with gardeners while on a morning walk or jog.
Ahead of the statue’s unveiling, the White Garden has been redesigned to honor Princess Diana’s memory with over a thousand of work put into the redesign, which was carried out by Pip Morrison.
Some of Diana’s favorite flowers, such as roses, forget-me-nots, tulips, lavender, dahlias, and sweet peas, are used to decorate the garden to complement Diana’s statue.
CLOSE FAMILY TO ATTEND
According to reports, Prince Harry and William will have their relatives to lean on as they unveil the gigantic statue of their mother.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace revealed that Diana's family will be joined by members of the statue committee as well as the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, and garden designer, Pip Morrison for the big unveil.
Prince William, Sir David Attenborough, Prince Charles, and Prince Harry attend the "Our Planet" global premiere at Natural History Museum on April 04, 2019 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images
The ceremony marks Harry’s return to the country a few months after his last visit to attend his grandfather’s funeral. However, it has been reported that the 36-year-old will not be staying as long as he did the first time and would be returning to his base in California.
Harry is eager to join his wife Meghan Markle, who will not be attending the ceremony which is taking place only a few weeks after she welcomed their second child, Lilibet, named in honor of Harry’s mother and grandmother.
THE HARRY AND WILLIAM QUESTION
The question surrounding the reunion has been Harry’s relationship with his older brother, Prince William who he has endured a tense relationship over the years.
Most royal experts hope that the reunion will serve as a base for the brothers to reconcile and strengthen their bond, but it remains to be seen if both parties are willing to mend the bridge.
Prince William and Prince Harry at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial on April 9, 2017 in Vimy, France | Photo: Getty Images
Harry is reportedly hoping to move past the hurt of the past and bury the hatchet with his brother, but he admitted that his relationship with his father, Prince Charles, who will not be attending the unveiling, will take time to heal.
While the whole world’s eyes would be on William and Harry’s reactions to each other on the day of the unveiling, the brothers have planed a low-key strategy to avoid any drama at the unveiling. Their sole aim is to honor their mother quietly.