Prince Charles Won't Attend Unveiling Of Princess Diana's Statue Because 'Sad' & 'Regretful' Memories Will Resurface, Claims Insider
Though Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married for over a decade, it's believed that the Prince of Wales will skip the unveiling of Diana's statue on July 1.
An insider spilled to the U.K. Times that the father-of-two tends to avoid events centered around his ex-wife because they've become too painful for him to deal with.
"He does find it terribly difficult," the insider claimed. "These moments have the potential to resurface old wounds, and it brings back memories for him; happy, sad, regretful."
"Since Diana’s death, he has felt it’s best to keep those memories to himself and leave his sons to it," added the insider.
Charles and Diana were married from 1981 to 1996, and she died in 1997. In 2005, Charles remarried to Camilla, who is now known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
Charles and Diana in 1991
Despite their father's absence, Prince Harry and Prince William will be present at the ceremony, which will take place at Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden. In fact, the two were the ones who commissioned the sculpture back in 2017, and it will debut on what would have been Diana's 60th birthday.
"It has been 20 years since our mother's death and the time is right to recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue," the siblings said in a joint statement. "Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy."
Originally, over 100 people were invited to the ceremony, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the guest list was cut down to include just a few family members and friends. Even William's wife, Kate Middleton, won't be in attendance.
However, sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley and gardener designer Pip Morrison will be present.
