Who joined William and Harry at the Diana statue unveiling?
Just 14 guests gathered with the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex for the brief ceremony.
The guest list was tight as the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex revealed their long-awaited statue of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Kensington Palace billed it as a “small event and a very personal moment for the family”.
Here is the list of the 14 people who joined William and Harry for the brief ceremony:
1. Earl Spencer
Diana’s younger brother Charles – uncle to William and Harry – has defended the memory and legacy of his sister since her death in a Paris car crash 24 years ago.
At the princess’ funeral, the earl gave a controversial eulogy which was seen as an attack on the royal family.
He vowed to Diana in his speech that her “blood family” would do all they could to protect William and Harry “so that their souls are not simply immersed by duty and tradition but can sing openly as you planned”.
2. Lady Sarah McCorquodale
Diana’s formidable older sister Lady Sarah was a member of the six-person statue committee, tasked with commissioning the monument and privately raising funds.
Lady Sarah, who is the former High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, has remained close to her royal nephews, and attended the christening of Harry’s son Archie in 2019.
3. Lady Jane Fellowes
Diana’s other sister Lady Jane was also at Archie’s christening and gave the only reading at Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
It was suggested that Lord Fellowes became hostile to Diana after her divorce because of his position, but he told the inquest into her death that he was always fond of her.
4. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton
The former SAS Major served as William and Harry’s top aide, their principal private secretary, for eight years, and was chair of the statue committee.
He was also equerry to William and Harry’s great grandmother, the Queen Mother, in the 1980s.
5. Julia Samuel
Also a godparent of Prince George, the psychotherapist, who founded the Child Bereavement UK charity, was one of Diana’s best friends.
The Duchess of Sussex is said to have turned to Mrs Samuel when Meghan struggled with her mental health during pregnancy.
6. John Barnes
John Barnes is the Historic Royal Palaces’ (HRP) chief executive, taking on the role in 2017. He was also a statue committee member.
He was previously in charge of conservation, presentation and learning provision at HRP’s six palaces.
7. Gerry Farrell
Gallery owner Gerry Farrell was selected for the statue committee for his artistic direction.
8. Guy Monson
Guy Monson, also on the committee, is a city financier and a trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation, founded by Harry. He was on the organising committee for its inaugural games in 2014.
In 2018, he was appointed treasurer to the Cambridges and the Sussexes, before Harry and Meghan stepped away from the Royal Foundation and later quit as senior working royals.
9. Sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley
Rank-Broadley is the renowned artist who created the permanent memorial to Diana.
His effigy of the Queen appears on all UK and Commonwealth coins.
His bronze work depicting the harrowing realities of war is the focal point of the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.
10. Garden designer Pip Morrison
Pip Morrison redesigned Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden – home to the new statue.
11. Rupert Gavin
The chair of Historic Royal Palaces is a theatre impresario who was dubbed “Mr West End”.
A former chief executive of BBC Worldwide and Odeon & UCI cinemas, Mr Gavin is known for producing a long series of successful plays and musicals over the past 30 years.
His productions have won 17 Olivier awards and five Tony awards.
12. Gardener Graham Dillamore
Mr Dillamore is deputy head of gardens and estates at Historic Royal Palaces and led the team of five gardeners who spent a total of 1,000 hours working on the planting of 4,000 flowers.
13. Gardener Gary James
Mr James is head gardener at Kensington Palace for HRP.
14. Hazel Rank-Broadley
Mrs Rank-Broadley, an unannounced guest, also joined her sculptor husband at the event.