The Real Reason The Guest List For The Princess Diana Statue Unveiling Is So Small
The unveiling of a statue of Princess Diana in Kensington Palace may not be the event many thought it would be. A Kensington Palace spokesperson has emphasized that this will be a very intimate event. Many believed that friends and loved ones would attend the unveiling, but it's more scaled-down than admirers imagined.
"This is a small event and a very personal moment for the family," a royal source told The Mirror. "Plans have been scaled back due to the current COVID-19 restrictions and media arrangements reflect both the size and tone of the event."
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed an intimate guest list in a statement to Us Weekly. It read, "Prince William and Prince Harry will attend a small event to mark the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace on Thursday 1st July."
Furthermore, "In addition to close family of Diana, Princess of Wales, members of the statue committee, the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, and garden designer, Pip Morrison, will also be present."
It seems Kate won't even be in attendance
Both Prince Harry and Prince William's wives have made concerted efforts to connect with their late mother-in-law's memory. It's been known for some time that Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, will not attend as she recently welcomed their second child, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor (per Harper's Bazaar).
Growing closer to the event, it's also been made clear that Kate Middleton will also not attend. This is despite the fact that the statue is being unveiled on the grounds of Kensington Palace, where the Cambridge family lives. It's been explained that Kate will skip the event to make room per the COVID-19 protocols (per The Mirror).
Still, William and Harry reportedly both feel the less attendees, the better. "The princes worked very hard to create something that would be inclusive and truly honor their mother's positive contributions to the world," a source told Best Life. "Having to cut their list down to 30 guests would surely result in a lot of hurt feelings, which William and Harry certainly didn't want, but it's nonetheless disappointing."