Princess Diana statue was 'collaborative' says sculptor

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Diana’s three siblings, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer, travelled to Kensington Palace on Thursday to honour what would have been their sister’s 60th birthday. They gathered in the Sunken Garden to watch their nephews, Harry and William, unveil their tribute to the Princess of Wales. The statue was commissioned by the brothers four years ago — royal watchers subsequently pegged the occasion as a time of reconciliation and hoped the feuding siblings would be able to come together to remember their late mother.

It has now emerged that Diana’s family were determined to reunite Harry and William, too.

Based on the official photographs and footage of the event, the brothers certainly acted as though any fallout between them had been put in the past.

However, one source told Vanity Fair that the brothers had always planned to “put on a good show” because Diana’s family were in attendance.

Another told royal reporter Katie Nicholl that a definite end to the feud seemed very unlikely, despite the Spencer family’s best efforts.

The source claimed: “It is going to take a lot more than just a couple of conversations to repair the damage that has been done.

“Friends and some family members on the Spencer side have tried to pave the way for a reconciliation but it doesn’t feel imminent.”

Still, the brothers were seen enthusiastically engaging in conversation with their aunts and uncle, with Harry reportedly “letting out a laugh of appreciation” when he first spotted his relatives, according to Hello! Magazine.

The Duke of Sussex was clearly relaxed at the occasion, and was seen kissing his aunt Sarah on the cheeks twice before giving her another two mock-pecks.

Harry and William also made their first joint statement together since 2019, bucking expectations that they would be speaking separately on the emotional occasion.

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In their heartwarming speech, the royals said: “Every day we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and legacy.”

The pressure for the brothers to get along had also increased after COVID-19 restrictions meant they had to strip back the extensive guest list and make it a more intimate ceremony — meaning there would be more focus on their interactions.

One source told Hello! that the ceremony itself was more emotive with a smaller audience, explaining: “You had two of her sisters and her brother and her sons reminiscing.

“It was beautiful, and more poignant arguably because it was an intimate family occasion.

“Had it been 100 people it might not have been the same.”

There have been some reports that Harry and William will attempt to have a sit-down heart-to-heart while the Duke of Sussex is back in the UK.

But, others believe he will fly back to his family in the US as soon as possible now the statue has been revealed.

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