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Why Is Duchess Kate Missing The Princess Diana Statue Unveiling?

This week, Prince William and Prince Harry will reunite to unveil a statue of Princess Diana at Kensington Palace. It was initially thought that Duchess Kate would also be involved in the ceremony, but she was ultimately not included on the guest list revealed last week. Here's what to know about her absence.

To many, it came as a surprise that Duchess Kate will not attend this week's Princess Diana statue unveiling.

It was previously thought that the Duchess would serve as peacemaker between her husband Prince William and his brother Prince Harry at the event. But her name was nowhere to be found on the guest list released last week.

Princess Diana statue unveiling: No Duchess Kate?

There appear to be several reasons for Duchess Kate's expected absence, though no official statement has explained it yet. For starters, the ceremony had to reduce its guest list due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

Instead, Prince William and Duchess Kate are planning a "private" viewing of the statue with their children ahead of the unveiling on Thursday, according to Harper's Bazaar. "It was always going to be the two brothers," a royal source told the outlet.

Guest List For Princess Diana Statue Unveiling Revealed

But, elsewhere, insiders are reading more deeply into the surprise omission of the Duchess of Cambridge and tying it into the William-Harry drama.

A family source even told Page Six, "I think keeping the numbers down is a perfect 'excuse' for Catherine to stay away. William is fed up with the drama and Catherine doesn't need to be dragged into this."

The source added that the couple's private visit with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be "far more important than the public rhetoric."

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Prince William, Prince Harry reunite for Diana statue event

With a wave of reports saying Duchess Kate won't attend, and her omission from the guest list, it would be a surprise to see her there. The ceremony will go ahead this Thursday, July 1, which would have been Princess Diana's 60th birthday.

Prince William and Prince Harry will attend the reduced event only with close family of the late Princess of Wales, the statue committee, and the artists behind the statue.

Princess Diana statue will stand in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace.

Like Duchess Kate, Prince Charles won't attend the ceremony, as he will be in Scotland and reportedly intended to be out of the public eye on Diana's emotional anniversary.