This year marks two decades since the tragic passing of Princess Diana. In order to honour the ‘people’s princess’, a year-long celebration of her life is set to take place.
According to E! News, events will include an app, a newly founded holiday entitled ‘National Kindness Day’ and an international honour entitled the Legacy Award, dedicated to 20 young people who have excelled in pursuing positive social change.
And now her two sons, Princes Harry and William, have announced that they are set to organise a lasting tribute to their late mother. The young royals plan to commission a memorial in honour of Princess Diana, which will stand in the gardens of Kensington Palace, where she once lived with William and Harry.
The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry announced the touching tribute in a joint statement yesterday which read: "It has been twenty years since our mother's death and the time is right to recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue.”
They continued: "Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy.”
Princess Diana’s funeral was held in Westminster Abbey and was watched by millions across the globe. Almost immediately afterwards, thoughts were in motion as to how the country could best commemorate the princess.
A Diana Memorial Fountain was built in Hyde Park in 2004 and a statue was commissioned by Mohamed Foyed to be erected in Harrod’s but her sons did not have a say in either tribute. Therefore, the 20th anniversary of her death is an opportunity for Harry and William to pay their lasting respects.
The brothers have forged a committee of close friends and advisors to assist them in planning the tribute. The group includes the princess’s oldest sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the Princes’ former private secretary and Prince George’s godfather, chief executive of Historical Royal Palaces John Barnes and Gerry Farrell, an art gallery owner and friend of Diana.
The statue will be the centrepiece of the 20th anniversary celebrations this year.
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