Diana’s 60th birthday
This is how the British capital honors the deceased princess
Princess Diana while touring Canada in 1991.
© imago / ZUMA Wire
Lady Diana would have turned 60 on July 1, 2021. A lot is planned in London to commemorate the deceased princess.
On July 1, 2021, the “Queen of Hearts”, Princess Diana (1961-1997) would have turned 60. To commemorate her, her sons Prince Harry (36) and Prince William (39) and the City of London have planned a lot. In an unveiling ceremony, among other things, a statue will commemorate the deceased princess. London also wants to honor Lady Di with a blue plaque.
The unveiling of the statue
The prince brothers already had in 2017 according to the British broadcaster BBC commissioned the memorial for her mother. The occasion then: the 20th anniversary of the death of the former Princess of Wales. The statue was supposed to show the positive influence Diana had on the world. “Our mother touched so many people,” explained William and Harry.
Ian Rank-Broadley (69) was chosen as the artist. Among other things, the sculptor is responsible for the Queen portraits on British coins. His Diana statue was supposed to be presented last year. The event was postponed due to the corona pandemic. Lady Di’s family members are also expected to attend the ceremony. Her brother, Charles Spencer, 57, told People magazine Mid-June: “It will be an emotional day, but it will be remembered of a very missed and beloved sister, mother, etc.”
The statue is due to be unveiled on July 1st in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace. The place was redesigned in 2017 on the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death and is said to have been her favorite place according to British media reports. William and Harry could be accompanied by William’s wife, Duchess Kate, 39, when they unveil the memorial to the public. Diana’s sons are said to be giving separate speeches afterwards.
The relationship between the two has been tense since Harry and his wife, Duchess Meghan (39), left the royal family last year and moved to the United States. After Meghan and Harry’s second child was born on June 4th with little Lilibet, the Duchess will stay with her newborn daughter in California, according to current reports. It is speculated, however, that Harry could bring his son Archie (2) with him …
The blue badge
In addition to the Diana sculpture, a “Blue Plaque” will also commemorate Diana’s work in London. According to “bbc.com” the plaque is supposed to be attached to the building in Earls Court, in which the future princess lived for several years with some friends as Lady Diana Spencer before she married Prince Charles (72) in 1981.
The blue plaques are traditionally given by “English Heritage”, a charity that, among other things, manages England’s monuments. The organization writes about the blue plaque for Diana on its website, that Diana was an influential person and, among other things, campaigned for the homeless. It also contributed to destigmatizing diseases such as HIV, leprosy and depression. “It seems fitting that we should erect a plaque on her 60th birthday to commemorate her work and influence.” The plaques in London honor “outstanding personalities and the places where they lived and worked”.
Exhibition with Diana’s wedding dress
Princess Diana’s world-famous wedding dress has been presented in a new royal fashion exhibition at London’s Kensington Palace since the beginning of June. The show “Royal Style in the Making” features never-before-seen pieces from the archives of some of the most famous royal fashion designers. Princess Diana’s David Emanuel dress is in all its splendor with the spectacular, sequined and 7.62 meter long train in a glass showcase in the center of the exhibition. The dress is on loan from Diana’s sons. The exhibition can be seen until the beginning of 2022.
The Diana Award
The Legacy Award, which is part of the Diana Award, will also be presented later in the year. It is awarded to people who work for charitable and humanitarian causes. The award ceremony takes place every two years and honors 20 young personalities from all over the world who, like Diana, are committed to their communities and inspire and mobilize new generations. On the occasion of the 60th birthday of Diana, who died in a car accident in Paris in 1997, the award will be presented this time at her family’s estate, Althorp House. Diana’s brother Charles Spencer will host the event in December.