Princess Diana statue: Fans gather at Kensington Palace as William and Harry unveil new monument – in pictures

Fans today gathered near Kensington Palace to pay tribute to Princess Diana on what would have been her 60th birthday and as Prince William and Prince Harry unveiled a new statue of their mother.

Although the official unveiling was a small event, several people have travelled to west London to leave floral tributes, flags and pictures outside the gates of Diana’s former home.

Here are some pictures from the scene:

Royal fan John Loughrey stands with tributes to Princess Diana Getty Images

Tributes to Princess Diana outside the gates of Kensington Palace on what would have been her 60th BirthdayGetty Images

Tributes to Princess Diana, who died in 1997Getty Images

Royal fans Chris Imafidon (L), Anne Daley (C) and Grace (R) pay their respects as they gather at Kensington PalaceGetty Images

Balloons and flags as a tribute for Princess Diana are seen outside Kensington PalaceREUTERS

Royal fan Anne Daley joins others to mark what would have been the milestone birthday Getty Images

The monument has been erected in the palace’s Sunken Garden, which has been filled with more than 4,000 flowers and offers a “calmer and more reflective setting” for the permanent tribute to the princess.

Prince William, left and Prince Harry unveil a statue they commissioned of their mother Princess DianaAP

Prince William and Prince Harry reunited at the unveiling event. Harry, who recently welcomed his second child, daughter Lili, at the start of the month had travelled from his home in California to be there.

They appeared in good spirits throughout the event, laughing and joking with their guests and appearing at ease in each other’s company.

In a joint statement, the brothers 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.”

The brothers described the statue as “a symbol of her life and legacy”AP

The figure of the princess is surrounded by three children and depicts Diana, with short cropped hair, in the later years of her life.

Kensington Palace said the statue aims to reflect Diana’s “warmth, elegance and energy”, while the children represent the “universality and generational impact of the princess’s work”.

It added: “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.”

Before the event, a royal source described the unveiling ceremony as being a “small event and a very personal moment for the family”.

Diana’s siblings – Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Lady Jane Fellowes – were also there.

The scope had been reduced, with many of Diana’s friends and colleagues unable to attend due to Covid regulations.