Oakham, East Midlands – A 7-foot bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II, believed to be the first permanent tribute to the late monarch, has been unveiled in Rutland. The monument, located outside a library in Oakham, was revealed during a ceremony that attracted a crowd for prayers and speeches on the Queen’s birthday. Sculptor Hywel Pratley was commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr. Sarah Furness, to create the statue, which drew spectators from far and wide.
Among the attendees was Jodie Paterson, who expressed her admiration for Pratley’s work. “I watched him when he was working on his small scale models, and I knew he was going to create something special – and he did. I miss [the Queen] and I wanted to come and see what the statue was like,” she said. The Patersons, along with many others, found the day to be “quite emotional.”
Some visitors, like Dan Grant, appreciated the rare occasion in Rutland. “Nothing much really happens here, so it’s nice to have a big celebration. Everyone has come out. I enjoy the pomp and ceremony, especially the bagpipes,” he remarked. The statue, which cost £125,000 and was primarily funded by donations from businesses and the public, stands proudly on a grassy area near Catmos Street and Stamford Road.
Originally, there were hopes that King Charles III would attend the unveiling, adding to the significance of the occasion. Despite his absence, the event was well-attended, with people like Jo Hayward from Suffolk making a four-hour journey to Oakham with her four corgis to witness the ceremony. The statue serves as a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and a focal point for the community to gather and honor her legacy.