Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Queen Plans Di Memorial, Says Report Would Vacate Kensington Palace To House Tribute, Museum

Associated Press

Queen Elizabeth II plans to move members of the royal family out of Kensington Palace, converting part of it into a memorial to Princess Diana, The Sunday Times reported.

The newspaper said the move is part of a restructuring of the monarchy that has been under discussion since Diana’s death in a Paris car wreck on Aug. 31.

It quoted senior royal sources as saying that the queen “now accepts that the family has to be further slimmed down to reflect the demands of public opinion.”

The Sunday Times said the queen, who has not yet informed family members of the plan, will finance the move herself.

It said the palace, which has been a royal home since it was bought by King William II in 1689, will be converted into a permanent memorial to Diana and a museum to house pictures from the queen’s Royal Collection.

The 7,000 pictures currently are scattered among royal palaces and residences and many have not been seen by the public.

The newspaper was among several to report that former Prime Minister John Major is helping solicitors to untangle the legal and financial affairs of Prince William, 15, and 13-year-old Prince Harry after their mother’s death.

News reports said there have been complications over Diana’s $33 million estate because she did not change her will after her divorce from Charles. That will estimated her estate at just $1.6 million, the newspaper said.

The Sunday Telegraph said there was legal precedent for Charles to seek the return of the $27 million he gave Diana under the divorce agreement, plus any interest, because the princess died so young. If Charles were to have the divorce settlement overturned, then put the identical sum into trust for his sons, he would save them from inheritance tax, it said.

“John Major has always shown concern for the children’s well-being and we are sure that he will make an important contribution in this complex area,” The Observer quoted a Buckingham Palace spokesman as saying.