Princess Diana statue unveiling: Princes Harry and William reunited with her ...

Princess Diana statue unveiling: Princes Harry and William reunited with her ...
Princess Diana statue unveiling: Princes Harry and William reunited with her ...

Princess Diana's siblings reunited at Kensington Palace today for the unveiling of their sister's statue on what would have been her 60th birthday. 

Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 66, Lady Jane Fellowes, 64, and Charles, Earl Spencer, 57, joined their nephews Prince William, 39, and Prince Harry, 36, for the intimate ceremony in the remodelled Sunken Garden.  

The warmth between the princes and their aunts was clear as they greeted each other with an affectionate kiss on the cheek. Lady Sarah beamed as she held onto Harry's shoulder and appeared to whisper something into his ear.

Later Prince Harry, who appeared excited throughout the event, smiled widely as he shared a light-hearted moment with his aunts and uncle Charles. 

It is not known when the Duke of Sussex last saw his aunts and uncle. He was last photographed with Lady Sarah and Lady Jane at his son Archie's christening in 2019. 

The brothers have stayed close with the aunts and uncle. All three of Diana's siblings were guests at both Harry and William's weddings, while they were the also included on the guest list of just 25 at Archie's christening.

William and Harry put aside their personal differences and stood shoulder-to-shoulder to unveil the bronze statue of their mother in the Sunken Garden, which became a place of solace for Diana before her death in 1997.  The garden was replanted with 4,000 of Diana's favourite flowers in honour of the event.  

Kisses for their aunts: Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 66, left, beamed as she greeted her nephew Prince Harry, 36, with a kiss on the cheek in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace. Right, Prince William, 39, with Lady Jane Fellowes, 64

Kisses for their aunts: Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 66, left, beamed as she greeted her nephew Prince Harry, 36, with a kiss on the cheek in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace. Right, Prince William, 39, with Lady Jane Fellowes, 64

Lovely to see you! Prince Harry shared a light-hearted moment with his uncle and aunts during the short event this afternoon

Lovely to see you! Prince Harry shared a light-hearted moment with his uncle and aunts during the short event this afternoon

Precious moments: The aunts, Princess Diana's older sisters, looked delighted to see their nephews at the intimate event. The statue was unveiled in the Sunken Garden - one of Diana's favourite spots - on what would have been her 60th birthday

Precious moments: The aunts, Princess Diana's older sisters, looked delighted to see their nephews at the intimate event. The statue was unveiled in the Sunken Garden - one of Diana's favourite spots - on what would have been her 60th birthday

Family time: Prince Harry chats to his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes and uncle Earl Spencer at the unveiling of the statue today

Family time: Prince Harry chats to his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes and uncle Earl Spencer at the unveiling of the statue today

Harry also spoke to Earl Spencer, his mother's brother, at the Spencer-dominated event, shaking his hand

Harry also spoke to Earl Spencer, his mother's brother, at the Spencer-dominated event, shaking his hand

In good spirits: Earl Spencer, who oversees the family estate of Althorp, smiled as he chatted to Prince Harry today

In good spirits: Earl Spencer, who oversees the family estate of Althorp, smiled as he chatted to Prince Harry today

The Duke of Sussex (centre) with his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes and uncle Earl Spencer, making them laugh

The Duke of Sussex (centre) with his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes and uncle Earl Spencer, making them laugh

The Duke of Cambridge (left) and Duke of Sussex look at a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales

Admiring: Sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, Earl Spencer and Lady Sarah McCorquodale after the unveiling of the statue

Admiring: Sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, Earl Spencer and Lady Sarah McCorquodale after the unveiling of the statue 

The statue, made by Ian Rank-Broadley, shows Diana with her arms around two children, and towered over the brothers as they revealed it to the world this afternoon.

During the engagement Harry clapped his hands with excitement before the sculpture was revealed. William appeared far more serious during the short ceremony and the awkward walk to the Sunken Garden.

In a joint statement released this afternoon, the brothers 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 her legacy.'

They added: 'Today, on what would have been our Mother's 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character – qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better.

'Thank you to Ian Rank-Broadley, Pip Morrison and their teams for their outstanding work, to the friends and donors who helped make this happen, and to all those around the world who keep our mother's memory alive.'  

 The Sunken Garden's designer Pip Morrison was stood nearby and she could be overheard telling the royal brothers 'It's a collaborative effort'. When the two dukes got into place either side of the statue William said 'ready?' before they pulled off the cloth and the guests applauded.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales walking behind Diana, the Princess of Wales' funeral cortege in 1997

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales walking behind Diana, the Princess of Wales' funeral cortege in 1997

The brothers smiled as at the same time they pulled away the green cover to reveal the bronze sculpture by Ian Rank-Broadley

The brothers smiled as at the same time they pulled away the green cover to reveal the bronze sculpture by Ian Rank-Broadley

The bronze made by Ian Rank-Broadley shows Diana with her arms around two children, and towered over the brothers as they revealed it to the world this afternoon.

The bronze made by Ian Rank-Broadley shows Diana with her arms around two children, and towered over the brothers as they revealed it to the world this afternoon.

A smiling Duke of Sussex after the unveiling a statue commissioned of his mother Diana

A smiling Duke of Sussex after the unveiling a statue commissioned of his mother Diana

The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex arrive for the unveiling, putting aside any differences they've faced

The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex arrive for the unveiling, putting aside any differences they've faced

Who's who in the Spencer clan? 

The McCorquodales 

Sarah and Neil McCorquodale

Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 63, is the eldest of the Spencer children. She dated Prince Charles in 1977 and introduced the royal to her youngest sister. She married Neil McCorquodale, a farmer and former officer with the Coldstream Guards, in May 1980. 

The couple have three children and two grandchildren.

Emily McCorquodale

Emily McCorquodale, 34, is the eldest of the McCorquodale brood. In 2003, aged 19, she was diagnosed with cancer while studying at Leeds Metropolitan University but was later given the all-clear. 

In 2012 she married husband James Hutt, whom she met on a blind date, in a ceremony in Lincolnshire, which was attended by Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The couple have two children, Isabella, three, and Henry, two.

George McCorquodale

Like Harry, George McCorquodale, 33, inherited the ginger Spencer curls. He is said to enjoy a close relationship with his cousins after joining them for family holidays on Necker, Sir Richard Branson’s private island. 

Prince Harry was guest of honour when George married Bianca Moore, at Netherwood in KwaZulu-Nata, South Africa, in August 2016. 

Celia McCorquodale

Celia, believed to be 28, made headlines in 2012 with an album of photos that showed her partying with friends at Leeds University. 

Celia will soon be following her cousin down the aisle. She announced her engagement to George Woodhouse on 13 November 2017. 

The Fellowes

Lady Jane and Lord Robert Fellowes

Lady Jane Fellowes, 61, is Diana's elder sister. One of her godparents is the Queen's cousin, the Duke of Kent.

She is married to Robert Fellowes, a former Private Secretary to the Queen and first cousin of Ronald Ferguson, the father of Sarah, Duchess of York.

In June 1999, Robert Fellowes was granted a life peerage as Baron Fellowes, of Shotesham in the County of Norfolk, after first being knighted as Sir Robert Fellowes. The couple have three children and four grandchildren.  

Laura Fellowes

Laura, 37, is very close to William and Harry and is one of Princess Charlotte's godparents.  

She married equity analyst Nick Pettman in 2009 in Snettisham, west Norfolk, where her parents live in an old rectory. William and Kate were both guests.

Laura writes fiction under the name Mave Fellowes — her nickname is Mavis — and has sons.

Alexander Fellowes

Alexander — known as Beetle to friends — is a 35-year-old investment banker. He married Alexandra Finlay at the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster in September 2013. Prince Harry attended the wedding.  

Alexander and Alexandra have two children, Robert, three, named after his grandfather, and 18-month-old Rose.  

Eleanor Fellowes

Eleanor Fellowes, 32, keeps a relatively low profile and is rarely seen at public events. She is believed to work as a probation officer and has published articles on issues relating to her profession. 

The Spencers

Charles Spencer and Karen Gordon

Charles, 53, the 9th Earl Spencer, is the most high profile of Princess Diana's siblings. In his eulogy at Diana's funeral, the journalist and broadcaster criticised the Royal Family and the Press on their treatment of his sister. 

In 1989 Spencer, then known by the courtesy title of Viscount Althorp, married his first wife, Victoria Lockwood, in Great Brington, Northamptonshire. The couple, who divorced in 1997, had three daughters and a son.

In December 2001 he married Caroline Freud, former wife of Matthew Freud. The couple had two children together, Edmund and Caroline. They divorced in 2007. 

Spencer married his current wife, Canadian-born philanthropist Karen Gordon, in June 2011 at the family seat of Althorp House. They have one child together, Lady Charlotte Diana Spencer, named after his sister. 

The couple reside at the Spencer ancestral seat, Althorp House, which he inherited on his father's death in 1992.

Lady Kitty Spencer

Lady Kitty Spencer, 27, has forged a successful career as a model, most notably appearing in campaigns for Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana. 

The socialite, who is signed with Kate Moss's former modelling agency Storm, is a regular fixture at the world's hottest parties and is sure to cause a stir at the Royal Wedding. 

She is regarded as one of the most eligible young women on London's social scene, having split from her property tycoon boyfriend at the start of the summer. Lady Kitty grew up in South Africa and is now based in Fulham.

Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer   

Twins Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia, 25, share their elder sister's good looks but keep a much lower profile. 

Like their sister, the twins were raised in South Africa and attended university in Cape Town.

In 2011 Lady Amelia appeared in a South African court accused of assaulting a man on crutches in McDonald's. She was cleared of all charges.

Louis Spencer 

Louis, 24, is the fourth child and eldest son of Earl Spencer and will therefore inherit his father's estates and title ahead of his elder sisters. 

He studied at Diocesan College in Cape Town and later enrolled at the University of Edinburgh.

Edmund and Caroline Spencer

The Vanity Fair report makes no mention of Edmund and Caroline Spencer, Charles' children from his second marriage, receiving an invite to the royal wedding. 

As Edmund, 14, and Caroline, 12, are still young, they perhaps wouldn't attend the late-night after-party. 

Lady Charlotte Spencer

Lady Charlotte Diana, five, is Earl Spencer's youngest child and his only one with third wife Karen. 

Like her half-siblings Edmund and Caroline, Lady Charlotte is not named in the Vanity Fair report and would be unlikely to receive a late-night party invite because of her age.  

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Lady Sarah, Lady Jane and Charles, Earl Spencer, have all remained close to their nephews since Princess Diana's death.

Charles and his wife Karen sat front row at Prince William's 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton, with his three daughters and one son in the row just behind. In pride of place next to the Middleton family too was Lady Sarah and Lady Jane, while Lady Anne Wake-Walker, Diana's aunt also had a place in the pew. Harry was also seen chatting to his uncle before the ceremony.

The Spencers were also in attendance at Harry's wedding to Meghan in 2018.

In 2019, the Sussexes shared a photo of Archie's christening, which showed the Duke and Duchess with their son and Lady Jane and Sarah alongside the Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, Doria Ragland, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

They didn't attend the christenings of the Cambridge children, however neither did Charles' siblings. 

Reunited: Princess Diana's eldest sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale and younger brother Earl Spencer (right) arriving

Reunited: Princess Diana's eldest sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale and younger brother Earl Spencer (right) arriving

Close family: Earl Spencer with Lady Sarah (back to camera) and Lady Jane (in green, right) before the intimate ceremony

Close family: Earl Spencer with Lady Sarah (back to camera) and Lady Jane (in green, right) before the intimate ceremony

Remembering their sister: Earl Spencer follows his sister Lady Jane (foreground) to the Sunken Garden at the palace

Remembering their sister: Earl Spencer follows his sister Lady Jane (foreground) to the Sunken Garden at the palace

Private event: Earl Spencer, Lady Jane (behind, in green) and Lady Sarah (back to camera) ahead of the ceremony today

Private event: Earl Spencer, Lady Jane (behind, in green) and Lady Sarah (back to camera) ahead of the ceremony today

Dapper: Earl Spencer looked smart in a suit and tie as he arrived for the event at Kensington Palace

Earl Spencer today

Dapper: Earl Spencer looked smart in a suit and tie as he arrived for the event at Kensington Palace this afternoon

After you: Lady Jane (in front, in green) led the siblings as they made their way to the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace

After you: Lady Jane (in front, in green) led the siblings as they made their way to the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace

Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale (right) and Lady Jane Fellowes (left) leaving Kensington Palace Prince

Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale (right) and Lady Jane Fellowes (left) leaving Kensington Palace Prince

Members of the statue committee who were tasked in 2017 with commissioning and privately raising funds for the creation of the statue stood nearby.

Lady Sarah was on the committee and her five colleagues included Diana's close friend, Julia Samuel, who is a godparent of Prince George, and John Barnes, chief executive of Historic Royal Palaces, the charity which looks after a number of royal sites.

The committee was chaired by Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, William and Harry's former principal private secretary, and it also included Gerry Farrell, director of the Sladmore Gallery, which specialises in sculpture, as well as financier Guy Monson, a former trustee of the royal brothers' charitable foundation.

'Not what was her station, but has she a heart?' Moving lines of verse engraved by Diana statue 

In front of it is a paving stone engraved with an extract after the poem The Measure of A Man by Albert Schweitzer, which was read at the 2007 memorial service marking the 20th anniversary of her death.

It read: 'These are the units to measure the worth. Of this woman as a woman regardless of birth. Not what was her station? But had she a heart? How did she play her God-given part?'

Schweitzer was a French theologian, writer and philosopher who lived from 1875 to 1965. He is well-known for his writing on Christian mysticism. 

In 1952, he received a Nobel Peace Prize for a work of philosophy, becoming the eighth Frenchman to be awarded that prize.

Princess Diana was known to enjoy poetry, and was once given one in a silver frame by Dodi Al Fayed. Harry has also recited poems on public occasions, as has his wife Meghan.   

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