Princes William and Harry ‘will meet in private at small family gathering to mend rift after Diana statue unveiling’

WILLIAM and Harry will meet in private after a statue is unveiled to commemorate their mum Princess Diana, it's reported.

The brothers are set to put aside their differences to join a small family gathering after Thursday's event in Kensington Gardens.

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The “beautiful” and “informal” statue will be revealed on what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday.

Sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley -  famous for his depiction of the Queen on British coins - designed the effigy, which will reflect the late princess's youthful and playful nature,

A source told The Telegraph: “It is not in any way austere or imperious.

“Both brothers wanted to ensure that the artwork is something that really resonates with the public.

"It’s absolutely charming and such a fitting tribute.”

'CHARMING'

The Duke of Sussex, 36, was picked up at Heathrow on Friday and driven to Frogmore cottage, where he is isolating for five days.

Meghan Markle, 39, has remained in the US with their children, Archie and Lilibet.

Kate Middleton may not attend the ceremony either after Kensington Palace officials said the princes will only be joined by Diana's close family.

It will be the first time the brothers have met face-to-face since Prince Philip's funeral in April.

But relations between the Sussexes and the other royals remain raw after the couple's incendiary Oprah Winfrey interview.

The design of the Diana statue, which was installed in the palace's Sunken Gardens last week, has been kept a closely guarded secret.

Sources have told The Telegraph it will depict a "youthful" Diana.

It’s absolutely charming and such a fitting tribute

Source to The Telegraph

The Princess Of Wales was 36 when she died in a car crash in Paris in August, 1997.

Diana's brother Earl Spencer and sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, are expected to attend Thursday's unveiling, it's reported.

But the Queen will not be among the handful of guests at the ceremony, as she will instead be in Scotland.

William and Harry have reportedly spent months working on the design and have even advised Rank-Broadley on the statue's nose.

The statue of Diana was commissioned by the brothers in 2017 to "recognise her positive impact in the United Kingdom and around the world".

Kensington Palace said the “small event” would include “close family of Diana, Princess of Wales, and members of the statue committee”.

In a video message yesterday, Harry paid tribute to his mum for living "authentically with purpose".

Prince Harry was filmed speaking about The Diana Award, which honours young people who work to improve the lives of others.

HARRY'S TRIBUTE

Harry said: "Our mum believed that young people have the power to change the world.

"She believed in your strength, because she saw it day and day out. And in the faces of young people exactly like you she witnessed a boundless enthusiasm and passion.

"And I too see those same values shine through."

William and Harry will stand side-by-side on Thursday for the service to mark their mum's 60th birthday.

But the relationship between the brothers has worsened after Harry and Meghan unleashed a string of bombshell claims about the Royal Family.

The couple told Oprah they had faced racism within the Firm and said that Meghan hadn't been given support with mental health battles.

Meghan has remained at the couple's LA home after they welcomed their baby daughter Lilibet Diana earlier this month.

Harry and William ditched plans for a big gathering this week to celebrate the unveiling of the statue amid Covid fears.

The guest list for the ceremony was slashed from more than 100 to just a handful of people.