Princess Diana Sidelined at Kensington Palace?
This story was filed by CBSNews.com entertainment contributor Neil Sean in London.
Fans of the late Princess Diana may be shocked at the way memories of the iconic princess are being moved into the shadows at her former home, Kensington Palace.
A £12 million refurbishment of the London palace is now under way and will be finished in 2018. The goal, sources say, is to restore the 17th century building to the splendor it enjoyed in the 1950s and 1960s when it was home to the queen's party-going sister, Princess Margaret, and her then husband, Lord Snowden, who were the toast of London society at the time.
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It's an era that appeals most, the royals think, to their heritage-loving citizens and to tourists around the world," a source told me.
The Prince and Princess of Wales lived there during their marriage and and it remained the official residence of Diana after her divorce until her 1997 death. The rooms where she lived are now just offices and holding rooms that store all manner of memorabilia, a source says.
Dr Lucy Worsley, chief curator of the Royal Palace, says Princess Diana will be included in the Royal Gallery but will not have her own exhibition at the palace. The princess is "not really part of contemporary culture right now and ideally should take her place within the Royal Gallery," Worsley says.
The princess' sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who grew up at the palace, are reportedly unhappy with the plans. They believe their mother should have her own exhibit because of the role Princess Diana still plays in the hearts of British subjects'
As one royal aide who worked for the princess told me, "It still does appear that they are trying to airbrush her life and career as a royal princess out of history, failing to see that even after all these years she is the one shining star they ever really had."
By NEIL SEAN