Prince William and Harry reunite for rare public statement

Kristine Tarbert
·Features and Health Editor
·2-min read

Prince William and brother Harry have reunited for the first time since Harry and Meghan quit as senior royals, issuing a rare joint statement.

The brothers announced plans to install a new statue in memory of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, just days before the anniversary of her death in a car accident in Paris 23 years ago at just 36 years old.

June 21st 2020 - Prince William The Duke of Cambridge celebrates his 38th birthday. He was born on June 21st 1982 at St. Mary's Hospital in London, England, United Kingdom. - File Photo by: zz/KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx 2017 12/12/17 Prince William The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry at the European premiere of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" held at The Royal Albert Hall. (London, England, UK)
William and Harry have issued a rare joint statement. Photo: Getty

“Our mother touched so many lives,” William and Harry said in the joint statement, issued via the Kensington Palace press office.

“We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy.”

The artwork was commissioned in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death in 1997, but installation has been delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

It will officially take place in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on July 1, 2021 - on what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday - to “recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world”.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles pose with their sons Princes Harry and William on board royal yacht Britannia during their visit to Venice, Italy, 6th May 1985. (Photo by Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Princess Diana tragically died in 1997. Photo: Getty

This marks the first joint statement on behalf of the two brothers since Harry and Meghan announced their plans to step down as senior royals in January. They officially left the UK earlier this year and are now living in Santa Barbara with Archie.

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Although, Prince Harry has also revealed he would have already returned to visit the UK if it wasn't for the pandemic.

Speaking to staff and volunteers from the Rugby Football League, he said: “We've got a whole Rugby League world cup coming next year. I’m definitely plan on coming back. I would have been back already had it not been for Covid.”

FILE - In this Monday March 9, 2020, file photo, from left, Britain's Prince Harry, Prince William, Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge leave the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London. Prince William infuriated Prince Harry when he told his younger brother he should move slowly in his relationship with the former Meghan Markle, fearing that he was being “blindsided by lust,’’ a new book on the Windsors says. The second installment of a serialized version of the book “Finding Freedom,” which appeared in the Sunday Times, Sunday, July 26, 2020 claimed that Harry was angered by what he perceived to be as William’s snobby tone in a discussion about the American actress.(Phil Harris/Pool via AP, file)
Harry would have already returned to the UK if not for the pandemic. Photo: Getty

Just last week, Harry and Meghan unveiled their brand new MWX Foundation - officially scrapping the Sussex Royal title.

The change of the foundation title is a result of the Sussexes agreeing to stop using the 'Sussex Royal' brand after officially stepping away from senior royal duties in April this year.

Documents filed on The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Companies House also revealed Meghan and five other directors had stepped down from their positions, which leaves Prince Harry as the sole director.

And what does MWX stand for – some reports suggest it’s ‘Markle Windsor’.

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