As The Queen this week becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch, Madame Tussauds in London will be playing their part in the celebrations as they dress their wax-work figure of Her Majesty in a new crystal covered dress. The Queen will overtake her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria’s, reign on Wednesday 9th September.
A previous waxwork figure of The Queen at Madame Tussauds in London.
The London tourist attraction has unveiled their latest waxwork figure of Her Majesty The Queen wearing a replica of the gown she wore for the official Diamond Jubilee photographs back in 2012. The new attire also features a blue Order of the Garter sash and star and on the head of the figure is a replica of the diamond George IV State Diadem.
A spokesperson for Madame Tussauds commented, “Its all part of the celebrations marking Madame Tussauds relationships with Her Majesty The Queen as she becomes the longest reigning monarch.”
The Queen will overtake Queen Victoria this coming Wednesday who, as Buckingham Palace calculated, reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes. Though no national celebrations have been planned, The Queen will make a public appearance opening Borders Railway at Edinburgh Waverly Station. Her Majesty will be accompanied by Prince Philip as they officially open the line after which they will meet with First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon and take a train ride to Tweedbank.
Four workers from Madame Tussauds in-house team spent 150 hours sewing 53,000 Swarovski crystals on to the latest attire for Her Majesty. The new dress will be displayed alongside a number of Norman Hartnell and Ian Thomas designed dresses worn by previous figures of The Queen. Also on display will be archive correspondence between Buckingham Palace and Madame Tussauds as well as images taken during The Queen’s sittings for the Central London attraction.
The spokesperson for Tussauds concluded, “The Queen is the most modelled likeness at Madame Tussauds. It started when she was a little girl when she was modelled on a rocking horse.”
Though there will be no national celebrations on the 9th September, their will be various events across the country commemorating The Queen’s remarkable reign. A service of music and prayers will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral and a special flotilla will make its way down the River Thames on September 9th.
Photo Credit: By (WT-shared) Ypsilonatshared at wts wikivoyage (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
