The New Statue of Princess Diana Will Be Surrounded by Her Favorite Flowers
The Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, where Prince Harry and Prince William will unveil a statue of Princess Diana, has been redesigned with the royal in mind.
- Prince Harry and Prince William will unveil a statue of Princess Diana in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace later today.
- The garden has been redesigned with Diana in mind.
- 100 forget-me-nots, Diana's favorite flower, have been planted in the revamped garden.
Later today, Prince Harry and Prince William will unveil a new statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, on what would have been her 60th birthday. The statue will stand in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, one of the royal's favorite places at her former residence. And as the Guardian reports, the garden has been redesigned with Diana in mind.
Over 4,000 new flowers have been planted in the garden, including 100 forget-me-nots, Diana's favorite bloom (Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, included forget-me-nots in her book The Bench, as a tribute to her late mother-in-law.) The revamped garden also features 200 roses, 300 tulips, around 50 sweet peas, about 500 lavender plants, and around 100 dahlias, the Guardian reports. The redesign started in October 2019, with five gardeners working for a total of 1,000 hours.
Designer Pip Morrison told the press, "This has been a very special project to work on, as the Sunken Garden was a favourite place of Diana, Princess of Wales. We have worked carefully to ensure that the new layout and planting scheme compliments the statue, providing a calming place for people who visit Kensington Palace to remember the princess."
Graham Dillamore, Historic Royal Palaces' deputy head of gardens and estates, recalled, "While she was in residence at Kensington Palace, Diana, Princess of Wales regularly admired the changing floral displays in the Sunken Garden and would always stop to talk with me and the other gardeners who cared for it."
A royal source told the Guardian that today's statue unveiling will be "a small event and a very personal moment for the family," with plans dramatically downsized due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Garden designer Morrison will attend alongside William and Harry, as will sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley.
RELATED STORIES
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.
-
Katie Holmes Taps Every Fashion Editor's Favorite Unexpected Color Combo
Try this insider styling trick ASAP.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Only Three Episodes of 'The Traitors' Season 3 Have Dropped, But the Traitors Are Already Headed for Betrayal
The producers truly chose chaos for this installment of Peacock's reality hit.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
This $4,900 Bag Is the Hero of Hailey Bieber's Mom Style
A case for the oversized staple.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Princess Kate Isn't Always "Well Enough" for Royal Duties, but She's Learning to "Pace" Herself
"She is looking after herself and is wise to do so," a family friend shared.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Issue Statement on California's Devastating Wildfires
The Sussexes addressed the disaster, which is "affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Elizabeth's Final Birthday Gift to Kate Middleton Was a Precious Heirloom With Specific Rules Attached
The present, which was from the Queen's private collection, "brought tears to Kate's eyes."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
How Princess Kate Broke Tradition with Her Stunning 43rd Birthday Photo
The Princess of Wales posed for a black-and-white pic by one of her favorite photogs.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meghan Markle Shares Her Most Personal Instagram Post Yet—Including Rare Glimpses of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—After Their Beloved Dog Dies
"Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways you’ll never know."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Is the "Ultimate Nepo Baby," According to Spice Girl Mel B's Daughter Phoenix
"There's been rising anger in recent years—almost to the point of obsession on social media."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Prince Andrew Has Been Reported to the Police Over a Fake Name and Business Venture
Get ready to meet the royal's alter ego, "Andrew Inverness."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Daughter Lilibet Has Already Entered Her "Princess Phase"
The Sussexes are very "down-to-earth" parents, according to a family friend.
By Amy Mackelden Published