In a moving ceremony that coincided with what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 98th birthday, the town of Oakham in Rutland, England, became the setting for the unveiling of a statue honoring the late monarch.
The statue, which depicts the young queen accompanied by her beloved corgi dogs, was unveiled in front of the local library.
The six-foot-tall figure marks a historic moment as England’s first permanent memorial to Her Majesty, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96.
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New statue of Queen Elizabeth
The initiative was led by Dr. Sarah Furness, Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland.
It was funded by an impressive $155,000 raised by the community and reflects the nation’s deep respect and affection for the Queen.
At the unveiling, Furness stressed the importance of the statue as a tribute to the Queen’s 70 years of exemplary service.
He noted that although Rutland is a small county, the response to this project has been tremendous, with contributions from local businesses and individuals of all sizes.
Artist Hywel Brân Pratley was commissioned to bring to life the vision of a young Queen Elizabeth, dressed in ceremonial robes and wearing the George IV tiara and sash of the Order of the Garter.
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Inspired by the royalty of the 1950s and 1960s, Pratley added two additional corgis to the statue’s base for the final design.
A decision he says was made to capture the late Queen’s humanity and reflect her kindness.
The sculptor expressed his desire for the statue to become an artistic symbol of the Queen as Mother of the Nation.
In addition to being a work of art, the statue will be a focal point for the “Instagram generation,” with a plinth that invites visitors to sit and pose for photos.
Pratley expects the statue to become popular, providing the perfect backdrop for memorable images.
The statue’s unveiling was attended by hundreds of people and Welsh Corgi League corgis, some wearing patriotic scarves, adding a festive touch to the event.
Alicia Kearns, Conservative Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, had the honor of presenting the statue and shared the encouraging news that King Charles plans to visit the memorial once he resumes his full royal schedule following his cancer treatment.
🎥The first posthumous statue of Queen Elizabeth II has been unveiled in #Rutland today.
A special ceremony took place earlier on what would have been the late monarch’s 98th birthday. pic.twitter.com/8jRiX6YloB
— Greatest Hits Radio News (@GHRNewsUK) April 21, 2024