Photos show royal fans paying tribute to Princess Diana as her statue is unveiled on what would have been her 60th birthday

Royal fan John Loughrey arranges flowers for Britain's Princess Diana, outside Kensington Palace in London.Henry Nicholls/Reuters

• July 1 would have been Princess Diana's 60th birthday, and her sons unveiled a statue in her honor.
• Before the reveal, royal fans arrived at Kensington Palace to pay tribute to the late princess.
• Some popped champagne and others donned Union Jack flags - all in memory of the beloved princess.

On July 1, Princess Diana would have turned 60 years old.

Royal fan Anne Daley holds a copy of Hello magazine.      Leon Neal/Getty Images

Her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, unveiled a statue in honor of the late Princess of Wales at the Sunken Garden at London's Kensington Palace.

William and Harry look at Diana's statue.      Dominic Lipinski /Pool Photo via AP

Royal fans flocked to Kensington Palace before the unveiling to show their love for the princess.

A group of royal fans pay tribute to Princess Diana.      Frank Augstein/AP Photo

Dozens of fans arrived with mementos of Diana, like buttons with her face, painted portraits of the mother, or messages to the beloved princess.

A royal fan wears a blazer covered in Union Jack flags and a giant button with Princess Diana's face.      Wiktor Szymanowicz/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

Other royal fans dressed in evening attire and brought collages of Diana.

Three fans stand outside the palace holding images and posters of Princess Diana.      Wiktor Szymanowicz/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

Flying high were balloons celebrating what would have been Diana's 60th birthday.

A royal fan holds balloons outside of Kensington Palace.      Leon Neal/Getty Images

People donned the Union Jack flag and photos of the late princess.

Some fans wore images of Princess Diana and the Union Jack flag.      Leon Neal/Getty Images

Some royal fans popped champagne and toasted the princess in front of the gates of Kensington Palace in London.

Royal fan John Loughrey drinks a toast in front of the gates of Kensington Palace in London.      Frank Augstein/AP Photo

People arrived days before the statue unveiling to start their tribute outside Kensington Palace's gates.

On Wednesday, royal fans began adding flowers, flags, and photos to the gates of Kensington Palace.      Aaron Chown/PA Images/Getty Images

And by mid-afternoon on July 1, dozens of fans had visited the palace, leaving behind a tribute teeming with flowers, pictures, messages, and flags.

A fan walks past the tribute to Princess Diana outside the gates at Kensington Palace.      Wiktor Szymanowicz/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

A clear indicator that the beloved princess still holds a place in many royal fans' hearts.

A royal fan waves at a passing airship as he stands near tributes placed on the gates of Kensington Palace in London.      Matt Dunham/AP Photo