Prince William & Prince Harry Will Reunite At Princess Diana's Statue Unveiling — Everything To Know
May 12 2021, Published 2:32 p.m. ET
It's been a rough year for Prince William and Prince Harry.
The brothers, who used to be so close, found themselves at odds with one another after Harry, 36, detailed their relationship while speaking to Oprah Winfrey in an interview that aired on March 7.
"I love William to bits. He's my brother. We've been through hell together. But we are on different paths," he said at the time. "The relationship is space. Time heals all things, hopefully."
The princes were expected to reunite in July at Princess Diana's statue unveiling, but they came face to face earlier than expected when Prince Philip died on April 9. Harry flew to the U.K. — his first time home since he left the royal family in 2020.
Even though William, 38, and Harry were seen talking after the service, it seems like they still need to work on their relationship going forward.
"Anyone thinking that this would be resolved at a wake is sadly misguided. It's going to take more than one or two conversations, but I think this is a significant start," royal expert Katie Nicholl shared. "Let's not forget that before Harry arrived in the U.K., all conversations had basically ceased. This was the icebreaker, this was the baby step. And everyone's hope is that these conversations continue productively and not be leaked to the media. Things were not going to be resolved in one or two family meetings."
The brothers will get to see each other again this summer when they attend the event, which will honor their late mother on what would have been her 60th birthday.
“It has been twenty years since our mother’s death and the time is right to recognize her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue,” William and Harry said in a joint statement in 2017 about the project. “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.”
The release date for the work of art ended up changing, though. “The statue will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on 1st July 2021, marking The Princess’s 60th birthday,” William and Harry later said. “The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy.”
But it's still unclear if Harry and William will be able to put the past behind them when they reunite.
“They will both move heaven and earth to be there. They commissioned the statue together. It is very important for them," a source said about the upcoming presentation. “There is, of course, hope the memory of Diana can repair their relationship but that seems a long way off right now."
“The brothers will be physically together for the ceremony but want to make their own personal addresses," the insider added. “You might have thought they’d go for a joint statement and speech but that’s not the case. Each has insisted on preparing their own. It is a big concern that their body language will suggest all is not well and they won’t present a united front.”
Scroll through the gallery to get more details about the event.
When Is The Event?
The unveiling of the statue will take place on July 1, 2021, William and Harry confirmed in August 2020.
"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," the brothers previously said.
Where Is The Event?
The statue will be placed in Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden — one of Diana's favorite places.
Who Is Attending?
Harry and William are expected to attend. However, it's unclear if Meghan Markle — who is currently pregnant with baby No. 2 — will fly over to the U.K. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton has not been confirmed yet either.
Who Is The Sculptor?
Ian Rank-Broadley, who has produced many acclaimed works, was commissioned to start on the project in December 2017 — before the plans changed.
Who Is Speaking?
At the moment, it looks like William and Harry will both make speeches at the event.
