A statue of Queen Elizabeth II, thought to be the first permanent memorial to the late monarch, has been unveiled in Rutland and royal fans cannot get enough of the extra detail added to the statue. In a historic moment, sheets were taken off a statue to the sound of cheering crowds to reveal the late Queen on what would have been her 98th birthday on April 21.
The eye-catching statue is seven feet tall and depicts a young Queen Elizabeth flowing in regal robes but it also features her three beloved corgis at her heels and fans think this extra detail is a sweet touch.
On social media platform X, user @Sandra46427493 wrote: “She would have loved this featuring her beloved corgis.”
Royal fan, @depirrok1 wrote: “I just noticed the sculpture of the little corgi on his hind legs paws on the plinth, trying to reach his mistress. That is a wonderfully charming touch.”
X user, @mishyensen73 wrote: “This is the best statue I have seen of her. Well done to the artist and the corgis are a beautiful tribute.”
According to the Daily Mail, Sculptor, Hywel Pratley, believes the memorial will become a hit not only with royal fans but will attract social media users wanting a selfie beside the late Queen and her three corgis.
Crowds in Rutland gathered in front of the statue for the unveiling and posed with their own dogs, playfully barking at the statue.
The late Queen’s love of corgis stretches back to her childhood, when her father King George VI bought Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret a Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi when she was seven. Her pets would often come with her on her royal tours, with royal aides attending to their every need.
The permanent memorial featuring the dogs was further described as “beautiful” and a “lovely touch” by fans online.
Outside a library in Oakham, Rutland, crowds gathered for prayers and speeches at the unveiling and for the official celebration on the late Queen’s birthday.
This permanent memorial to Britain’s longest reigning monarch was commissioned by the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, in response to the “depth of loss felt in Rutland on the late Queen’s death”, as reported in Oakham Nub News.
Local businesses donated to support the ptroject, as well as Oakham Town Council, who forked out £5,000 for the build, but most of the funds came from Rutland residents.
The statue was made using local materials and businesses where possible to minimise environmental impact and costs.
