Prince Harryis back in the U.K. for a special reason.
The Duke of Sussex, 36, returned to England from his new home in California. He’s set to attend the unveiling of a statue honoring his late mother,Princess Diana, at Kensington Palace on July 1, on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Meghan Marklestayed in California with the couple’s two young children: 2-year-old sonArchie Harrisonand their daughterLilibet Diana, who was born on June 4.
Princess Diana and Prince Harry.Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty
While in the U.K. earlier this year, Prince Harrystayed at his Frogmore Cottage homein Windsor, where his cousinPrincess Eugenieand her husband Jack Brooksbank are living as they begin their lives as a family of three — they welcomed son August Philip Hawke in February.
Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Prince William.Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty
Plans for the Princess Diana statue were first announced in February 2017, the year of many commemorations of Diana’s life, as it marked 20 years since she died in a car crash in Paris. She was 36 at the time of her death.
The statue was “commissioned to mark the twentieth anniversary of her death and recognize her positive impact in the UK and around the world,” the palace said in astatementlast year.
“The statue will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on 1st July 2021, marking The Princess’s 60th birthday,” the statement continued. “The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy.”
Prince William, Princess Diana and Prince Harry.Getty
Prince Harryand Meghan, who lived at Kensington Palace before moving to Frogmore Cottage then to the U.S., had their engagement photo call in 2017 in the Sunken Garden.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Anwar Hussein/Getty
Prince Harry.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
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Prince William and Prince Harry formed a committee made up one of Diana’s sisters, some friends, experts and charity contacts to help come up with the fitting tribute to her. They commissionedIan Rank-Broadley, the sculptor behind the image of their grandmotherQueen Elizabeththat has been used to decorate all British coins since 1998, as the person to create the tribute.
source: people.com
