Heartfelt tribute: First memorial statue of late Queen Elizabeth unveiled at her would-be 98th birthday
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In a touching and historic moment, the first memorial statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled, coinciding with what would have been her 98th birthday.
This remarkable event was not only a tribute to the Queen's long and storied reign but also a celebration of her well-known love for her Pembroke Welsh Corgis, which were charmingly included at her feet in the statue's design.
The unveiling ceremony was a vibrant mix of cheers from the crowd and the excited barks of nearly 50 corgis, brought along by The Welsh Corgi League to pay their respects.
The seven-foot bronze statue, which now stands proudly in the market town of Oakham in Rutland, England, captures a youthful Queen Elizabeth in regal robes, accompanied by three of her loyal corgi companions.
Sculptor Hywel Pratley crafted the seven-feet statue with the intention of it becoming a beloved spot for royal fans and social media enthusiasts alike, who will no doubt be eager to snap a selfie with the late monarch and her bronze corgis.
It was believed that the late Queen owned an estimated 30 corgis and dorgis (a dachshund-corgi mix) throughout her life, and they often accompanied her in public appearances and official photographs.
The Queen's affection for corgis began in her childhood when King George VI brought home a Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi for young Elizabeth and her sister Margaret.
This love was further cemented when she received a corgi named Susan for her 18th birthday, a companion so cherished that she even joined the Queen and Prince Philip on their honeymoon.
Her corgis were so much a part of her life that they became symbols of her personal side, with the Queen even writing humorous letters from her corgis to the Jack Russells of her former equerry, Sir Blair Stewart-Wilson.
On the day of the unveiling, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were seen attending Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral, marking the date with their own tribute.
Meanwhile, in Oakham, residents and visitors alike expressed their pride and admiration for the statue.
Hilda Townsend, a local, described it as a 'very fitting tribute,' while her husband John echoed the sentiment, expressing pride in their county's homage to the late Queen.
The statue's creation was a community effort, commissioned by Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, and funded by contributions from local businesses and individuals.
The enthusiasm and support for the project were evident in the turnout for the unveiling, with a 400-strong crowd gathered to witness the historic moment.
Children from local schools were even involved in the ceremony, with two young art competition winners having the honour of unveiling the bronze corgis.
The statue, which cost £125,000 (approximately $240,400 AUD) to create, was met with overwhelming approval from the public, with many calling it 'absolutely amazing' and 'fantastic.'
Dr Furness addressed the crowd, stating: ‘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.’
‘The statue is for everyone,’ she added.
The Queen's love for her corgis was so profound that it transcended her personal life and became a part of her public image. The Royal Collection even sold Corgi-shaped Christmas ornaments, acknowledging her fondness for the breed.
Now, with this statue, her legacy and her love for these animals are immortalised in bronze for future generations to appreciate.
You can watch the unveiling here:
Source: Martin Brookes/YouTube
What do you think of the first memorial statue for the late Queen, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This remarkable event was not only a tribute to the Queen's long and storied reign but also a celebration of her well-known love for her Pembroke Welsh Corgis, which were charmingly included at her feet in the statue's design.
The unveiling ceremony was a vibrant mix of cheers from the crowd and the excited barks of nearly 50 corgis, brought along by The Welsh Corgi League to pay their respects.
The seven-foot bronze statue, which now stands proudly in the market town of Oakham in Rutland, England, captures a youthful Queen Elizabeth in regal robes, accompanied by three of her loyal corgi companions.
A seven-foot bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II and her corgis was unveiled in Rutland, England. Image source: We Are The 17.4 Million/Facebook
Sculptor Hywel Pratley crafted the seven-feet statue with the intention of it becoming a beloved spot for royal fans and social media enthusiasts alike, who will no doubt be eager to snap a selfie with the late monarch and her bronze corgis.
It was believed that the late Queen owned an estimated 30 corgis and dorgis (a dachshund-corgi mix) throughout her life, and they often accompanied her in public appearances and official photographs.
The Queen's affection for corgis began in her childhood when King George VI brought home a Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi for young Elizabeth and her sister Margaret.
This love was further cemented when she received a corgi named Susan for her 18th birthday, a companion so cherished that she even joined the Queen and Prince Philip on their honeymoon.
Queen Elizabeth with her corgi, Susan. Image source: @umfactually/X (Twitter)
Her corgis were so much a part of her life that they became symbols of her personal side, with the Queen even writing humorous letters from her corgis to the Jack Russells of her former equerry, Sir Blair Stewart-Wilson.
On the day of the unveiling, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were seen attending Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral, marking the date with their own tribute.
Meanwhile, in Oakham, residents and visitors alike expressed their pride and admiration for the statue.
Hilda Townsend, a local, described it as a 'very fitting tribute,' while her husband John echoed the sentiment, expressing pride in their county's homage to the late Queen.
The statue's creation was a community effort, commissioned by Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, and funded by contributions from local businesses and individuals.
The enthusiasm and support for the project were evident in the turnout for the unveiling, with a 400-strong crowd gathered to witness the historic moment.
A delegation of dogs from The Welsh Corgi League attended the event. Image source: Ariel Cooper/Facebook
Children from local schools were even involved in the ceremony, with two young art competition winners having the honour of unveiling the bronze corgis.
The statue, which cost £125,000 (approximately $240,400 AUD) to create, was met with overwhelming approval from the public, with many calling it 'absolutely amazing' and 'fantastic.'
Dr Furness addressed the crowd, stating: ‘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.’
‘The statue is for everyone,’ she added.
The Queen's love for her corgis was so profound that it transcended her personal life and became a part of her public image. The Royal Collection even sold Corgi-shaped Christmas ornaments, acknowledging her fondness for the breed.
Now, with this statue, her legacy and her love for these animals are immortalised in bronze for future generations to appreciate.
You can watch the unveiling here:
Source: Martin Brookes/YouTube
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up from me.
