Summing up the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II is hard but a brand new sculpture aims to provide a lasting reminder of Her Late Majesty.
A seven-foot bronze statue depicting the late monarch as a young woman was unveiled outside the local library on what would be her 98th birthday. The statue by Hywel Brân Pratley reimagines a young queen in her ceremonial robes with the George IV Diadem on her head, and the Order of the Garter sash across her gown. Perhaps what might be the most personal touch is one of her beloved corgis playing at her feet. The sculptor had given a peek at the statue last year and has since added two more corgis for the final product.
The statue was commissioned by Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland following The Queen’s death in September 2022. About £124,000 was brought in by a fundraiser in order to bring the statue to life. According to The Telegraph, the Lord-Lieutenant focused on the significance of the posthumous statue at the unveiling ceremony.
“We are witnessing a piece of history today with the first statue of Queen Elizabeth to be commissioned since her death and who gave us 70 years of exemplary service.
“Rutland may be a small county, but the response to this had been huge with contributions from local businesses and individuals of varying sizes.”
Hundreds attended the grand reveal including corgis from the Welsh Corgi League who were fashionably dressed in patriotic bandanas. During her record-breaking 70-year-long reign, corgis became synonymous with Her Late Majesty. It started on her 18th birthday when she received her first corgi, Susan. Susan would become the furry matriarch of 14 generations of dogs owned by The Queen. Throughout her life, she owned more than 30 corgis and “dorgis” (a mix of dachshund-corgi breeds.) Following her death, her former daughter-in-law, Sarah, Duchess of York, adopted the final two corgis.
It is believed King Charles has plans to visit the statue once he takes up public engagements again following his treatment for cancer.
