The subject of the memorial, remembered here through a calm pose and child-centred symbolism.
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.
| 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. |
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.
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
Address: Sunken Garden, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX.
Yes. Every valid Kensington Palace ticket covers the wider palace setting, and no separate Diana statue ticket exists.
No. A standard palace ticket works, while garden-based experiences suit visitors prioritizing the memorial and grounds.
Yes. The statue sits in the Sunken Garden outside the paid State Apartments, reached from the Kensington Gardens paths.
You’ll usually see it before or after the palace interiors. It’s beside the palace, not part of the indoor room sequence.
Plan 10–15 minutes for the statue alone, or 30–45 minutes with the garden and palace exterior.
Not usually. Most Kensington Palace tickets are self-guided, though some garden experiences help frame the memorial better.
Yes. Main routes are step-free, and nearby Kensington Palace facilities are wheelchair and pram accessible.
Yes. Personal photography outdoors is generally fine, but avoid blocking paths or stepping into planting areas.
It’s the most direct memorial at Kensington Palace. Nearby Diana sites are broader tribute spaces rather than a single sculptural focus.
Look at the three children around Diana. They carry much of the memorial’s emotional meaning.
The subject of the memorial, remembered here through a calm pose and child-centred symbolism.
Created the bronze statue, aiming for strength, elegance, and emotional restraint.
Co-commissioned the memorial to honour his mother at Kensington Palace.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Included with Kensington Palace tickets
Timings
RECOMMENDED DURATION
3 hours


What to bring
What's not allowed
Accessibility
Additional Information
Inclusions #
Entry to Kensington Palace (as per option selected)
Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese & British Sign Language.
Afternoon tea at The Orangery. Find menu here (as per option selected)
Access to:
King's State Apartments
Queen's State Apartments
Jewel Room
Palace Gardens
Victoria: A Royal Childhood exhibition

What to bring Kensington Palace
What's not allowed Tower of London
Kensington Palace
Accessibility Tower of London
Kensington Palace
Additional information Tower of London
Kensington Palace
Inclusions #
Tower of London
Entry into the Tower of London
Entry to all public areas including Crown Jewels exhibit
Access to the children's activity trails and live historical re-enactments
Free WiFi access
Kensington Palace
Exclusions #
Guide
Transfers
Food & beverages

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

Kensington Palace
Tip: Peep into the Cupola Room to see the spot where Queen Victoria was christened.
Suitcases, large bags, and rolling luggage are prohibited inside the palace.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Disabled visitors are entitled to bring an accompanying carer free of charge.
Many rooms have low-level lighting, which might be difficult for visually impaired visitors.
London Eye
Tip: Look for the National Theatre's rooftop garden. It's a hidden gem that's hard to spot from the ground.
Please note that children under 2 can go for free but require a ticket to enter.
Children under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by adults.
Keep in mind large bags, sharp metallic tools, or objects that can cause security hazards are not allowed in this experience. Pack wisely!
Proof of age will be required for alcohol consumption.
Soft drinks will be served to guests under the age of 18 years.
Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Inclusions #
Kensington Palace
Entry to Kensington Palace
Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese & British Sign Language.
Access to:
King's State Apartments
Queen's State Apartments
Jewel Room
Palace Gardens
Victoria: A Royal Childhood exhibition
Untold Lives exhibition
London Eye
Entry to the London Eye
30-min ride on the London Eye
London Eye guide
Priority boarding through fast-track entrance (based on option selected)

Kew Gardens
Kensington Palace
Inclusions #
Kew Gardens
Kensington Palace