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.
![diana, princess of wales 1961 1997 visits a school for the deaf and dumb in yaoundé, cameroon, march 1990 she is wearing a pink and yellow suit by catherine walker and a philip somerville hat photo by jayne fincherprincess diana archivegetty images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v8pcNdgszjoEoJ7gMkowRV-415-80.jpg)
- 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.
'The redesigned Sunken Garden.'
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
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
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.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Critics Claim Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Tried to "Upstage" Prince George
"He wants to steal the thunder with his Invictus Games announcement."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and King Charles Have the Cutest Matching Friendship Bracelets
And fans think Charlotte was responsible.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Put “Her Own Neck On the Line” to Support Embattled Prince Harry at the ESPYs Earlier This Month
“She chose to be there for her husband.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince George Is Intentionally Being Raised Much Differently Than His Father Prince William Was, Even Though Both Are Heir to the Throne
“William still has painful memories of his own childhood and how he hated the persistent attention.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
In Naming Princess Charlotte, Prince William Poignantly Fulfilled a Long Ago Promise to His Late Mother, Princess Diana
Diana would be “over the moon” about it, her friend says.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Attending Sporting Events with Their Kids Is a “Much Needed Distraction” from Kate’s Ongoing Cancer Battle, Royal Biographer Says
“To say sports play a huge part in the lives of the royals is a massive understatement.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
After Meeting a Teenage Prince William for the First Time, Then Camilla Parker-Bowles Quipped “I Need a Gin and Tonic,” Royal Author Writes
Still largely known as “the other woman,” Camilla was “decidedly anxious” about meeting the future king.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Was Reportedly Advised to Sign a Prenup When He Married Kate Middleton 13 Years Ago—But He Refused
Thirteen years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage seems stronger than ever.
By Rachel Burchfield Published