To commemorate the late Princess Diana’s 60th birthday on July, 1st a statue will be unveiled at Kensington Palace, described as one of her favourite outdoor settings.
This statue has been carefully designed by Ian Rank-Broadley who has worked closely with both Prince William and Harry. This tribute is a momentous and long over-due moment for her sons and the Spencer family who will be able to remember their much-loved Diana through this piece of work which promises to reflect Diana’s youthful and playful nature. Ultimately, this is a touching tribute and one that her six grandchildren can cherish.
William and Harry hope the statue will ‘help those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and legacy.’
Over two decades have passed since the Princess of Wales tragically lost her life in 1997 but the ‘Diana effect’ lives on strongly and fiercely through our generations. Famous for her fighting spirit and sense of compassion, the people’s Princess revolutionised the British monarchy with her different style of leadership she described as “leading with my heart not my head”.
This 20th century Queen of hearts broke away from the image of what a traditional royal family member should be by becoming an iconic role model, committed to reaching out to the ordinary and disadvantaged.
Diana’s most remembered feature was that she had so much love to give and this landmark occasion will emphasise this as we have already seen with the abundance of social media posts that are paying tribute to Diana and her upcoming birthday.
Powerful and determined, the Princess was a controversial figure and used her status to voice matters which were close to her heart and she made influential statements that would get people talking such as making contact with AID sufferers in 1987.
Similarly, Lady Di was the first and most high-profile figure to work on the landmine project, her role was crucial in the passing of the Ottawa treaty banning the use of landmines.
In respect to her legacy, the Diana award was created in 1999. To date this is the most prestigious award one can achieve aged between 9-25 based on their contributions to social action and humanitarian work. She always strongly believed young people had the power to change the world and this thought is being carried on and recognised in today’s society.
Her kindness and resilience is shown through arguably her biggest legacy and by far her most loved achievement her sons Prince William and Harry, their mothers affectionate traits and determination to make an impact in the world have been strongly inherited by both boys.
The future king – William, has taken on his mother’s role of caring for the homeless, and has realised the importance of mental health care by creating the ‘Heads Together’ foundation. Whilst, Harry created the Invictus games to support the rehabilitation of injured ex armed forces members and works on the same landmines as his mother. Both sons will pay a loving and special tribute to their mother, Lady Diana at the Kensington event by making their own, heartfelt speeches.
This celebration of Diana’s life and ongoing positive legacy shows the impact she had on the world, and that 24 years after her passing the Princesses actions still plays a vital role in shaping the monarchy and our society. Diana will always be held in high regard and remain a topic of conversation demonstrated through the way in which the younger generations who were born years after the Princesses death still celebrate and feel so passionately towards her life.
Diana Spencer will be remembered for a number of reasons from being a determined humanitarian, an independent female role model, a fashion icon, loving mother but most importantly the people’s princess.
By Courtney Harrison
Feature image: Joe Haupt/Flickr