Prince Charles is set to miss the unveiling of Princess Diana's statue to avoid "resurfacing old wounds", an insider claims.
The figure is set to be uncovered on Thursday on what would have been her 60th birthday.
The event will be hosted by Prince William and Prince Harry, but their dad will not be attending.
Charles was married to Diana for 15 years until their marriage ended in an acrimonious divorce the year before her tragic death.
A source told the Sunday Times: "He does find it terribly difficult.
"These moments have the potential to resurface old wounds, and it brings back memories for him: happy, sad, regretful.
"Since Diana's death, he has felt it's best to keep those memories to himself and leave his sons to it."
Diana died in a car accident in Paris at the age of just 36 on August 31, 1997.
Her statue will be erected in Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden, a spot close to Diana's heart.
Ken Wharfe, who worked as her long-time protection officer, told Vanity Fair: "It's a very fitting place for the statue to be.
"The Sunken Garden was a place that Diana loved and enjoyed taking the children to."
The statue unveiling will also mark another reunion between warring royal brothers William and Harry.
It is believed William and Kate Middleton will visit it ahead of the big reveal with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Duke of Cambridge is understood to want to see it before it is unveiled to the public. A large box is currently over the plinth.
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Meanwhile, members of the public have been urged against turning the statue into a shrine for the popular late princess by leaving tributes.
A source told the Telegraph: "Any flowers of tributes left there will be removed and placed at the golden gates, where they have always been permitted.
"There is a strong desire that this does not become a shrine."
Close relatives of Diana will also be attending the unveiling, Kensington Palace confirmed.
Clarence House has been contacted for comment.
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