The Statue unveiling (A nice thread)

[Viviennemary]

I really liked Diana and I hope the statue will do her justice. I wonder if it will be televised live. I expect so.

I think I know who the go- between for Harry and William is. Joining the Cambridges in the royal box at Wembley yesterday was Ed Sheeran. And on Harry’s visit to the Well Child charity today he was joined by… Ed Sheeran 😂😂

I was just googling for a particular photo of her sitting that is famous but I found this instead. Is it the same garden? Somewhere else at KP? I wonder if they thought along these same lines and commissioned something directly from a photo?

When they say “youthful” I think it will be from a time when no the boys were alive but small. That would be meaningful to them, I think.

I don’t know why I’ve become quite so absorbed by this, except it’s suddenly struck me how hard it would be to commission a hugely expensive statue of someone you love who is also a hugely famous public figure. Choosing gravestones, wreaths, benches and the like is quite fraught enough.

I hope it does her justice too and tomorrow goes well without any drama between William and Harry!

@smilesy

I think I know who the go- between for Harry and William is. Joining the Cambridges in the royal box at Wembley yesterday was Ed Sheeran. And on Harry’s visit to the Well Child charity today he was joined by… Ed Sheeran 😂😂

Ed as family therapist. Could probably be worse! Can't see David B being up to it

Yes @OrrisRoot massive pressure on the sculptor. Not long now till the reveal!

That’s another lovely photo of Diana, OrrisRoot. Those photos really bring home how young Diana was when she died. She’d been famous for pretty much most of my life, so you tend to forget that she was only 36. Her hairstyle too reads much older these days I think - she would have looked so much younger with longer locks, like Kate I think.

I looked up the sculptor - Ian Rank-Broadley. He’s obviously very talented. While he’s done royal family members for medals and coins (the Queen on the back of current coins is his work) his focus on the male body means much of his previous work is around military memorials or works celebrating the male form. It will be really interesting to see what he does with a tricky subject like this.

Beautiful pictures

Does anyone know what time the ceremony is taking place? Presumably there will just be the press photos etc. afterwards.

I think the number of press, as well as the number of invitees has been severely cut back.

It's all rather a shame imo. When the brothers planned this they were still close and I'm sure there would have been a general expectation that the unveiling event would be a big one, lots of people connected to Diana's charities invited as well as numerous friends and family and a big press/tv presence. Probably a nice reception afterwards, champagne and canapés etc. Possibly speeches from other people connected with Diana, not just her sons.

Unfortunately, and it certainly isn't all their fault due to Covid of course, but between Covid and the family fall out there is now going to be just a handful of family and one or two others including the sculptor invited. Pared down press. Half hour event. Just long enough to shake a dozen or so hands (air shake obv) a quick couple of speeches, the big reveal and pose for a couple of photos and then off everyone will go.

Supposedly W & H will have a meeting afterwards. Will it be in the Kensington palace home or in a KP office with staff present to ensure there is no possibility of memories varying?

ajandjjmum
The unveiling of the Statue is at 2pm. Omid Scobie has just been interviewed by BBC News.

I am sure it will be beautiful, I can’t wait to see it. Loved Princess Diana, absolutely stunning woman.

@Roussette

ajandjjmum The unveiling of the Statue is at 2pm. Omid Scobie has just been interviewed by BBC News.

Thank you. Hopefully the sun will shine for it!

I reckon it'll be of her sitting on a bench the way she did at the Taj Mahal.

I think it might be too @adrianmolesmole

I do hope not - that was quite a loaded image! And also so associated with its location (which clearly was a not an English garden )

I suppose it was at a time when she was very unhappy, so inappropriate in that sense. Maybe sitting on a bench in a garden - be quite appropriate as it will be sited in the sunken garden.

RIP Diana

@bluebell34567

It was done 3 days ago, dont you know?
no one knows that, there were only 3 of them there.grin
🤣

I thought it was supposed to be a 2pm?

Chris Ship has said on Twitter that the statue has been unveiled and photos will be available shortly

Looks like this is it!

@Skiptheheartsandflowers

Looks like this is it!

That's a lovely image to commemorate her

Looks lovely - will the public have access to visit it?

I' m not massively keen. However, it could have been a lot lot worse. It certainly isn't awful. And the idea is nice. But I don't think Diana's face does her justice at all. But so difficult to capture a face I would think.

I want to say something positive because you've styled this as a nice thread but I really don't think it is a good likeness and the concept seems to miss the mark. I think it's very underwhelming.

It's very grey.