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Princess Diana's statue compared to ex British PM Theresa May: 'Mrs M is who it is'

The statue was designed and crafted by British sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, showing Diana with her arms around two children

The hotly-anticipated statue of Princess Diana was finally unveiled on what would have been her 60th birthday on July 1, 2021. Commissioned by her sons, the monument is a tribute to arguably the most famous royal in history. But while several fans lauded the work of art revealed in the gardens of Kensington Palace, it also drew unlikely comparisons to former British prime minister Theresa May.

The statue was designed and crafted by British sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, showing Diana with her arms around two children. William and Harry reached the Sunken Garden, as they put their differences aside to reunite for the solemn event to honor their late mother. Kensington Palace said the princes "wanted the statue to recognize her positive impact in the UK and around the world, and help future generations understand the significance of her place in history. The statue aims to reflect the warmth, elegance, and energy of Diana, Princess of Wales, in addition to her work and the impact she had on so many people."
 
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The specific outfit worn by Diana in the statue reflected the "final period of her life as she gained confidence in her role as an ambassador for humanitarian causes," the palace said. It added that the statue "aims to convey her character and compassion." A plinth engraved with the princess's name and the date of the unveiling has been placed beneath the statue. In front of it is a paving stone which is engraved with an extract from the poem 'The Measure of A Man' by Albert Schweitzer -- the same poem which was read at the 2017 memorial service marking Diana's 20th death anniversary. It read: "These are the units to measure the worth Of this woman as a woman regardless of birth. Not what was her station? But had she a heart? How did she play her God-given part?"

While the monument sparked an outpouring of appreciation from fans of Princess Diana, many found a stark resemblance between the statue and former British PM May.

"Anyone else finds it odd that Princes William and Harry unveiled a statue of Theresa May in Kensington Palace today? #DianaStatue," one Twitter user wrote. "Mrs. M is who it is! My head was wrecked trying to figure out who the woman was because it certainly isn't the Spencer girl," a comment read. "It's not my idea of a beautiful statue of Princess Diana. Now, if you asked me does it look like Theresa May, I'd be more inclined to say it was a better likeness," another added. "Theresa May. The statue has better dance moves, though," one quipped.

Others, however, showered praise on the monument and empathized with Harry and William. "I think the Princess Diana statue looks brilliant. No idea how anyone could think that looks like Theresa May," one wrote. "I think people should remember these two men lost their Mother at an early age. The trauma of having to walk with their Mother´s coffin in front of the world while maintaining their emotions must have been devastating for them, especially Harry. I’m sure they bear the scars," another tweeted.

"It’s lovely. I am sure William and Harry weren’t concerned about making the statue about them. I can’t wait to see it. Their opinion is the one that counts," a third chimed in.