A new statue of The Queen will be erected later this year in Gravesham to mark Her Majesty’s 90th birthday celebrations.
The artwork was commissioned by Gravesham Council and is believed to be the only statue showing The Queen seated. The bronze statue, mounted on a stone plinth, features the monarch dressed in her Order of the Garter robes.
![The statue plan, detailing the outline of the statue’s shape. [Photo credit: Gravesham Borough Council]](https://royalcentral.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/d-1-320x432.jpg)
The statue’s initial plans, detailing its outline and shape. The sculpture, showing the monarch sitting, is believed to be the first-of-its-kind [Photo credit: Gravesham Borough Council]
Council leader, Cllr John Cubitt, said: “It will be a fitting tribute to our longest reigning monarch on a notable personal milestone.
“Everyone admires The Queen’s dedication to carrying out her duties so diligently into a seventh decade. Our tribute will be dignified and will mark a special moment in the nation’s history for generations to come.
“I’m certain that the people of our borough will welcome this artwork which will become part of our future heritage. It is important to realise that this will not be a cost to the public purse.
“The borough’s links to the monarchy are long-standing over centuries and it is especially fitting that it comes in a year when our market, one of the oldest royal chartered markets in England, is being redeveloped at the same time the statue of the last reigning Queen, Victoria, is being restored.”
Gravesham is a small borough in North-West Kent. It has a long history with royalty, after being granted a Royal Charter in 1401 which allowed the men of the town to operate boats into London. King Henry VIII also built a fort at Gravesend to protect London from invasion.
Cllr Jordan Meade is the Councillor behind the idea to commission the statue.
He said: “The Queen is admired by everyone for the way in which she has dedicated her life to the service of our Country. It is therefore fitting that we celebrate the Queen’s life and reign through the commissioning of this statue.”
“Gravesham is a historic town with strong links to the monarchy and I am therefore pleased that we can mark this special moment in our nation’s history. In Gravesham we are proud to be creating heritage for the future.”
