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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - Princess Diana new statue

788 replies

ForeverAintEnough3 · 01/07/2021 15:31

She was a style icon yet she’s in one of those frumpy waist belts that were only in fashion briefly. The face does nothing to represent how beautiful she was. It’s too harsh.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
29
UrbanRambler · 02/07/2021 02:17

Yes, that picture captured Diana so well. I'm surprised that with so many beautiful photos available of this stunningly beautiful woman, the artist managed to get it so wrong. He needs his eyesight testing IMO.

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 02/07/2021 02:31

I think it looks fine as statues go

SpindleWhorl · 02/07/2021 02:32

I rather imagine the statue committee operated in the manner of the W1A crowd chaired by Head of Values Ian Fletcher.

StartupRepair · 02/07/2021 02:35

There are so many iconic images of Diana showing compassion. How did they end up with scary Nanny shooing her charges in for bath and bed?

notangelinajolie · 02/07/2021 02:45

The statue (complete with clothes she is wearing) would have been approved by William. If he believes it best depicts his mother then it is not for me to judge.

Leshan · 02/07/2021 02:58

What's with the big Santa belt?
When did she wear those?

UrbanRambler · 02/07/2021 03:20

It's a statue on public display, in gardens open to the public. Chances are it was funded by the public too, either via a charitable trust or from taxpayers' money, through the civil list. So, I think it's fine for people to comment on it, positively or negatively, in the same way that people comment on other works of art. It's also fine to disagree with Prince William on whether the statue bears a good resemblance to his mother, it is not a sign of disrespect towards Diana, just an opinion on a statue.

custardbear · 02/07/2021 03:41

I like the concept, but too masculine for her, the girls face looks more feminine, like Diana was. Too butch frame too, which is disappointing as so many statues are men already
I do hope her boys like it though abs I hope it's helped heal a rift

TheSunShinesBrighter · 02/07/2021 04:07

3 children? I watched the whole ceremony and only saw 2! (Agree they looked like shrunken adults and their heads seemed out of proportion compared to hers).
Other than that, I quite liked it!

TheSunShinesBrighter · 02/07/2021 04:12

The newspapers have circled an extra hand and bit of head... I can see it now.

Wiredforsound · 02/07/2021 04:51

Well, I think it’s a lovely statue of Brad Mondo.

Monkeytennis97 · 02/07/2021 04:57

@Wiredforsound

Well, I think it’s a lovely statue of Brad Mondo.
😂😂
Mummyoflittledragon · 02/07/2021 05:01

Outwiththeoutcrowd

That Luo LI Rong statue is beautiful. I agree with you. I expected something far less heavy. This new statue makes Diana look stately in a way she was not. She was fun loving and free spirited.

eekbumbler · 02/07/2021 05:11

@RickiTarr

Why is she shepherding random but demographically diverse DC? It might have worked if they were toddlers and it was clearly “nursery assistant Di”.

She had so many highly characteristic mannerisms and poses they could have chosen from, even if faces are tricky.

Shepherding... yes..

Looks like my mum did when she was about to bang mine and brothers heads together!! :D

eekbumbler · 02/07/2021 05:13

@Leshan

What's with the big Santa belt? When did she wear those?
Christmas Eve - delivering presents!

Sorry couldn't resist.

They were 'acceptable in the 80's' though.

eekbumbler · 02/07/2021 05:16

Just looked at the live unveiling. Those boys looked like they just wanted to be brothers, laugh their socks of and say - that's shit!!!

But they couldn't. Hopefully they could in private who knows.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 02/07/2021 05:31

It's not the greatest portrayal of Diana herself, but the 3 kids are not meant to be her family, it's meant to show her as a carer for all children.

sashh · 02/07/2021 05:46

My first thought (thanks to attending RC schools) was they made a Madonna

www.gartendekoparadies.de/Madonna-medium

That's such a shame it's so awful and the children do not resemble William and Harry at all

I know it has been said, one is a white girl, one is a black boy and the third one looks like he is trying to get away from a hostage situation.

YeokensYegg · 02/07/2021 05:55

@OutwiththeOutCrowd

I wish the Chinese sculptress Luo Li Rong had been given the commission. She would have brought lightness, joy and movement into her representation of Diana.

Here's an example of her work, showing what might have been...

Yes, it would have been wonderful if Luo Li Rong had done it.

The guy that did this one is just terrible.

bevelino · 02/07/2021 06:23

The sculpture appears to be a representation of how William and Harry remember their mother.

RamItBunty · 02/07/2021 07:09

No she was a manipulative and damaged woman who dressed like a z list actress. Attention seeking and vapid as only the aristocracy can be. Cannot understand the media fascination with this woman. The statue is aesthetically ghastly it looks like something from Matalaan. It’s a feature piece innit

lollipoprainbow · 02/07/2021 07:29

I thought it would be a marble statue light and pretty, this is quite creepy.

ancientgran · 02/07/2021 07:43

@omgthepain

That's such a shame it's so awful and the children do not resemble William and Harry at all
Which one do you think was portrayed as a girl? William or Harry?

It obviously isn't meant to be William and Harry.

ancientgran · 02/07/2021 07:44

@saraclara

It's a piece of 'art', *@JadeandGreen*. Of course we can express an opinion on it. As all the reviewers in the newspapers are. We're not walking up to William and Harry and saying "That statue of your mum is shit. What were you thinking?". We're discussing it between ourselves, and there are matters of taste involved.
Yes because they won't know anything about what's in the press or online. That's the royal bubble for you.
ancientgran · 02/07/2021 07:46

@Anystarinthesky

I would have preferred something like this. Diana looking at the children and holding them.
I guess you could commission a statue like that. Maybe ask for some donations?