As Her Majesty The Queen is poised to become the longest serving Monarch Britain has seen, Runnymede Pleasure Ground will soon be unveiling a 10ft bronze statue of the Monarch, in recognition of this remarkable achievement. The project, which will cost an estimated £350,000, is the brainchild of the Deputy Mayor of Runnymede, Councillor Derek Cotty.
The statue is currently being cast in bronze and has been inspired by the famous 1954 and 1969 portraits of The Queen by Pietro Annigoni, showing Her Majesty in full Garter robes. The statue has been created by one of Britain’s finest sculptors, James Butler.
It is believed that the statue will be unveiled on June 14th, the same day that the Runnymede Pageant will be taking place. The pageant will be commemorating the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and will see a flotilla of boats of all shapes and sizes make their way downstream from Bisham Abbey to Wraysbury. The flotilla will be just a small part of a weekend of celebrations in Runnymede to mark Magna Carta’s milestone.
Councillor Cotty spoke of The Queen’s statue, “I’m delighted to report that the construction of Her Majesty’s statue is underway and progressing well. Despite a very tight schedule the foundry is working towards meeting the deadline for this display.”
Runnymede is a water-meadow along the River Thames in the county of Surrey and lies just 20 miles west of Central London. It is perhaps most famous for its association with Magna Carta as it is believed that the water-meadow at Runnymede is the most likely place that King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215.
Magna Carta is a charter agreed by King John and was first drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury as a way to make peace between the King and a group of rebel Barons. It promised protection of church rights, protection for the Barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown.
It is believed that The Queen has given her permission for the statue to be sited on a plinth at the Pleasure Ground.
On 9th September 2015 Queen Elizabeth II will surpass Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest reigning Monarch. On this day, The Queen will have reigned for 23,227 days, one day longer than her great-great-grandmother.
Featured Photo Credit: Guy Evans
In remembrance of her great-great grandfather, John Lackland?