Do I need to book a specific ticket to see the Diana statue?

No. A standard palace ticket works, while garden-based experiences suit visitors prioritizing the memorial and grounds.

Can I reach the Diana statue without going inside Kensington Palace?

Yes. The statue sits in the Sunken Garden outside the paid State Apartments, reached from Kensington Gardens paths.

When during my visit will I see the Diana statue?

You’ll usually see it before or after the palace interiors. It’s beside the palace, not part of the indoor room sequence.

How long should I spend at the Diana statue?

Plan 10–15 minutes for the statue alone, or 30–45 minutes with the garden and palace exterior.

Is the Diana statue included in guided tours of Kensington Palace?

Not usually. Most Kensington Palace products are self-guided, though some garden experiences help frame the memorial better.

Is the Diana statue accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. Main routes are step-free, and nearby Kensington Palace facilities are wheelchair and pram accessible.

Can I take photos at the Diana statue?

Yes. Personal photography outdoors is generally fine, but avoid blocking paths or stepping into planting areas.

How does it compare with other Princess Diana landmarks in London?

It’s the most direct memorial at Kensington Palace. Nearby Diana sites are broader tribute spaces rather than a single sculptural focus.

What’s the one thing I shouldn’t miss at the statue?

Look at the three children around Diana. They carry much of the memorial’s emotional meaning.

Kensington Palace

Diana statue tickets

Included with Kensington Palace tickets

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

3 hours

The Diana statue is included with all Kensington Palace tickets, and no separate ticket is needed. It stands in the Sunken Garden beside the palace rather than inside the State Apartments, so most visitors see it before or after the indoor visit, and you can also approach it from the public Kensington Gardens side. Book a standard palace ticket if you want the memorial plus the royal rooms, or choose a garden-focused experience if the statue and grounds are your priority.

How to best experience Diana statue

Best time to visit

Go on a weekday between 8am and 10am, or in the last 90 minutes before dusk. Light is softer, paths are quieter, and you’ll get cleaner photos without people crossing the foreground. Avoid sunny weekend middays if you want time to pause.

How long to spend

Allow 10–15 minutes for the statue alone, or 30–45 minutes if you also want to check out the Sunken Garden, palace exterior, and enjoy a slow photo stop. It’s a short visit physically, but the details reward stillness. If you rush, it becomes a pass-by.

Where it fits in your itinerary

Treat it as an opening or closing stop rather than the middle of your palace visit. Because it sits outside the ticketed interiors, it works best before timed palace entry or after the exhibitions. Build in a garden buffer so you’re not checking your watch.

Crowd patterns

Crowds build fastest from late morning into mid-afternoon, especially on weekends, school holidays, and warm days. Numbers also rise around July 1 and late August, when visitors come specifically for Diana-related anniversaries. Go earlier if you want space to reflect.

What to prioritize if time is short

Step back far enough to see Diana and the three children in one frame, then move closer to study the relaxed posture and informal styling. After that, turn around for the palace backdrop and planting. Skip a long garden wander if you’re short on time.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most visitors arrive expecting an indoor gallery stop and don’t leave time for the garden setting. Another common miss is photographing only the front without reading the children as part of the memorial’s meaning. Don’t treat it like a quick checkpoint.

Best tickets to experience Diana statue

Ticket type	Why choose it
Palace entry ticket	Best if you want the statue, State Apartments, and exhibitions in one visit without overcomplicating your day.
London attractions pass	Smart if Kensington Palace is one stop among several London sights and you want flexibility across 30 days.
Garden walking tour with afternoon tea	Best for a slower, outdoor-led visit where the memorial, gardens, and atmosphere matter more than palace interiors.

Explore Kensington Palace tickets & tours

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Dining

Royal Afternoon Tea at Kensington Palace with Walking Tour of the Gardens

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

2 hrs

Guided tour

‌

Check availability

Tip: Add to your cultural experience with a visit to the Serpentine Gallery, just a short walk from the Gardens. It's a contemporary art museum that often hosts free exhibitions.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Nobody likes a crowd. A single group has a maximum of 15 people.
Please make a note of your dietary preferences and restrictions at the time of booking.
The menus are subject to change.
While efforts are made to avoid cross-contamination, foods containing allergens are prepared in the kitchen.
Please note that your meeting point is Queensway Station and not the Palace.

Inclusions #

2-hour afternoon tea experience at Kensington Palace Gardens
Guided walk through Kensington Palace Gardens
Afternoon tea (vegan and gluten-free options available). Find menu here
Host
Entry to Kensington Palace Gardens

Exclusions #

Drinks (available to purchase onsite)
Entry to Kensington Palace

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Why it’s worth seeing

Most people come for the link to Princess Diana and then realize the setting matters almost as much as the sculpture itself. Commissioned for what would have been her 60th birthday, the memorial was placed in the Sunken Garden because that space had long been associated with her. If you’re searching for the Diana statue Kensington visitors mean, this is the one. Focus on 3 details when you arrive so the visit feels specific, not generic.

The children around Diana

Don’t stop at Diana’s face. The three children gathered around her are central to the memorial’s meaning, reflecting her warmth, protectiveness, and wider humanitarian reach. Stand a few steps back on the main path first, then move closer to read the group as one composition.

The garden setting

The Sunken Garden is part of the experience, not just a frame for the bronze. Look at the formal planting and low water features around the statue before you photograph it. The contrast between structured beds and the statue’s informal pose changes how the memorial reads.

The palace backdrop

After viewing the statue head-on, turn slightly to catch the palace behind the garden axis. This is the most useful visual reminder that you’re at a working royal residence, not a standalone monument. It gives the memorial context and makes wider shots stronger.

Commissioned by Princes William and Harry in 2017 and unveiled on July 1, 2021, the statue marks what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday. It turned the Sunken Garden — already closely associated with her through floral tributes and public memory — into a permanent place of reflection. The memorial honors her public warmth and humanitarian image within a palace she once called home.

👉Know more about the Kensington Palace gardens

Know before you go

Open: Usually accessible during Kensington Gardens opening hours, generally from 6am until dusk.
Last entry: There is no timed last entry, but arrive well before garden gates close.
Seasonal note: Closing time shifts through the year with daylight and park operations.
Possible closures: Access can change during severe weather, security operations, or garden maintenance.
Official info: Check Historic Royal Palaces and The Royal Parks before visiting.

Address: Sunken Garden, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX.
Nearest subway: High Street Kensington is about a 10-minute walk; Queensway is about a 12-minute walk.
Entry point: Follow signs to Kensington Palace, then head to the Sunken Garden on the south side of the palace.
Position in route: The statue is outside the paid State Apartments, so it works before or after palace entry.
Facilities nearby: Restrooms, café service, and free Wi-Fi are available at Kensington Palace visitor facilities nearby.

Wheelchair access: Main approaches are step-free, and Kensington Palace visitor areas are wheelchair accessible.
Prams: The route is pram-friendly, making this one of the easier royal stops for families.
Path surface: Main approach paths are paved, though some surrounding garden paths can be gravel.
Assistance dogs: Guide dogs are welcome at Kensington Palace and in the grounds.
Extra support: Palace visitors can use accessible restrooms and British Sign Language audio guide support inside.

Photography: Personal outdoor photography is generally permitted around the statue and garden paths.
Filming equipment: Large setups or commercial shoots may require advance permission.
Respect the space: This is a memorial site, so quieter behavior is expected, especially on anniversaries.
Stay on paths: Do not step into planted beds or lean over water features for photos.
Check policies: Security and access rules can change on high-profile dates or during special operations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Diana Statue at Kensington Palace

Yes. Every valid Kensington Palace ticket covers the wider palace setting, and no separate Diana statue ticket exists.

Princess Diana | Royal figure

Subject of the memorial, remembered here through a calm pose and child-centered symbolism.
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Ian Rank-Broadley | Sculptor

Created the bronze statue, aiming for strength, elegance, and emotional restraint.
View Wikipedia

Prince William | Commissioner

Co-commissioned the memorial to honor his mother at Kensington Palace.
View Wikipedia