Where to find the statue of PRINCESS DIANA in London? (and all you need to know about the Princess Diana Memorial)
Who was Princess Diana?
Royal rebel, fashion icon, the most photogenic woman of the late 20th century (?), first wife of King Charles III, and the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry.
These are a few of the many ways to describe Princess Di.
She is perhaps remembered most for her charitable work and personal charisma.
Loved by people around the world was often called the Queen of people’s Hearts.
Her tragic death sparked a worldwide outpour of grief.
She died in a car crash at the age of 36. This tragic event took place in Paris in August 1997. On 6 September 1997, an estimated 2.5 billion (!) people watched her funeral ceremony.
Where to find the statue of Princess Diana in London?
The statue of Princess Diana is located in the Sunken Garden outside Kensington Palace.
Why the statue of Princess Diana is located in Kensington Gardens?
Princess Diana Memorial was unveiled to the public on the 1st of July 2021* by her sons, William and Harry.
*That would have been her 60th birthday if she didn't die in the car crash.
Kensington Palace (located in Kensington Gardens) was home to Princess Diana for over 15 years.
She loved the Sunken Garden and often spent time there with her kids. And this spot was chosen by her sons as a suitable place for this tribute to their famous mother.
See also: 8 FREE things to see in Kensington Gardens
Why are children featured in the Princess Diana Memorial at Kensington Palace?
The monument in Kensington Gardens depicts Princess with three (not her own) children: two boys and a girl.
Diana often worked with charities helping improve the quality of lives of children around the world. It is a symbol of her charitable work.
Also…Princess Diana, before she married Prince Charles (now King Charles III), worked as a nursery teacher's assistant at a school in Pimlico.
Do I need to buy a ticket to see the statue of Princess Diana?
You don’t need to pay to see the statue of Princess Diana.
The sculpture is located in the garden outside Kensington Palace, and it is accessible to the public for free (see the comments about opening times later in this post).
However, you need to purchase a ticket if you wish to go inside Kensington Palace.
Here you can find more details about that.
What are the opening times to see the statue of Princess Diana?
The Sunken Garden (the place where the statue is located) is usually open from Wednesday to Sunday, from about 9:30 am to 5:45 pm.
However, I always recommend checking the garden’s website for current opening times.
Can I take a photo of the statue of Princess Diana?
The answer is "yes" and "no".
You can see the monument only from the Cradle Walk surrounding the green space, there is no closer access to the statue. You can take a photo of the monument, but only from a distance.
The critics of the statue of Princess Diana
The statue of Princess Diana did not win all the approval from the public.
Some people are saying that the face of the statue looks more like a face of (a fantastic actor!) Sean Bean than the Princess herself.
Others criticize it for the lack of reflection of the beauty and the glamour of the late Princess.
Nevertheless, seeing this statue is still at the top of the list of things to do when visiting London for many people.
You may wonder now… who designed the statue of Princess Diana in London?
The statue was designed by the acclaimed British artist, Ian Rank-Broadley responsible also for some of the designs of British coins.
OTHER TRIBUTES TO PRINCESS DIANA IN LONDON
Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park
In nearby Hyde Park, not far from the Statue of Princess Diana, you can see the fountain in the shape of a necklace dedicated to The Queen of Hearts.
This is one of the latest tributes to the Princess Diana in Royal Parks in London. You can find this fountain only steps away from the Serpentine Bridge.
The beautiful fountain refers to the glamorous style of the late Princess (she was a fashion icon after all).
You can see there three small bridges leading to the center of the monument - a symbol of the openness which she was so famous for.
See also: 8 totally cool (and mostly FREE!) things to see in Hyde Park
Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens
Diana Memorial Playground is probably one of the best playgrounds in London.
It is located in Kensington Gardens, 5 min walk from the statue of Princess Diana.
You can find there a massive wooden pirate ship, a beach, and plenty of swings and slides.
This playground was inspired by Peter Pan's story, but it is honoring the late Princess Diana.
This playground is a very safe place for kids. In order to go inside, you need to be a child (or an adult with a child).
The entrance is free.
The official opening of this playground was made by (back then) the 5-years-old daughter of Diana's close friend, Domenica Lawson, who suffers from Down's Syndrome.
SEE ALSO…
Princess Diana 3D Museum
There is a museum dedicated to Princess Diana that you can visit from the comfort of your home, anywhere in the world, 24/7, and it is called Princess Diana 3D Virtual Museum.
After Princess Diana’s death, her personal belongings were sold at private auctions and scattered all over the world.
However, in 2017, with the use of the latest technology (photogrammetry and virtual reality), over 1,800 pieces of Diana’s personal and historical artifacts (including some of her iconic dresses!) have been photographed in high resolution and placed in the 3D interactive environment.
The items on the virtual display are coming from different periods of her life (early childhood, through her teenage years, and until her tragic death in 1997).
It is a real treat for fans of the People’s Princess.
This museum guides are available in two languages: English and Spanish.
Here you can learn how to access it.
Part of the profit from the Princess Diana 3D Virtual Museum goes to some of the charities she was supporting during her life.
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