According to some, the portrait, which features her sitting alone in front of this massive “monument to love”, is thought to be symbolic of her troubled marriage to Prince Charles. She was 31; later that year she formally separated from Prince Charles, and four years later they were divorced.
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Diana was killed in an automobile crash in Paris in 1997. With the mercury touching 42 degrees Celsius in Agra on Saturday, Archaeological Survey of India had chose to keep the Diana bench cold for the royal couple.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also stopped at Kaziranga National Park during their seven-day visit and had the joy of feeding baby rhinos and elephants.
William and Kate sat side-by-side on the same bench on which William’s mother posed alone 24 years ago. Royal officials said the couple hope to create new memories.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace previously said that William feels “incredibly lucky” to visit a place where his mother’s memory is kept alive by so many who travel there.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent around 45 minutes admiring the Taj Mahal, and were amazed with the fact that “a king so loved his wife that he built such a lovely monument to cherish her memories”, says their tour guide.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in the Indian city of Agra to visit the Taj Mahal where they will poignantly retrace the steps of Diana, Princess of Wales.
A spokesman for the royals said in a statement, “They chose to sit on the bench this morning”.
On Saturday a royal source explained the reason behind William and Kate’s desire to see the Taj in person.
As their repeated shows of affection in India and Bhutan this week have shown, William and Kate can tread in the footsteps of Diana today, safe in the knowledge that history is unlikely to repeat itself.
William and Kate toured the iconic building after flying in from Bhutan, with the prince describing the building as “stunning and beautiful”.
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The royal couple was in awe of the Taj’s architectural sophistication and historical significance.
