Statue of Diana, Princess of Wales

The bronze statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, stands at the heart of the Sunken Garden, a space chosen specifically because it was one of her favorite places on the grounds of Kensington Palace. Her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, commissioned the work to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of her death, eventually unveiling it on what would have been her sixtieth birthday in July two thousand twenty-one. The sculptor, Ian Rank-Broadley, designed the figure to capture the Princess during the final, more confident period of her life. She is depicted with a welcoming posture, surrounded by three children to represent the universal and generational impact of her humanitarian work rather than any specific individuals from her life. The garden itself was meticulously redesigned by Pip Morrison to complement the memorial, featuring thousands of plants including many of the Princess's favorite flowers, such as white roses, tulips, and forget-me-nots. Beneath the statue, an engraved paving stone features an extract from the poem The Measure of a Man, reflecting on the enduring worth of her character and her compassionate nature.