A permanent statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the first to be commissioned since her death, has been unveiled in Rutland's county town of Oakham as a lasting tribute to England's longest reigning monarch.

 Today, 21 April 2024, on what would have been the late Queen's birthday, a statue of the monarch has been revealed.

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", said Dr Furness.

Local officials and dignitaries ahead of the event. Image credit: Nub News.

She continued: "On what would have been the late Queen's 98th birthday, today is an opportunity for the children and people of Rutland and the wider country to celebrate this tribute to Britain's longest reigning and possibly greatest monarch.

"The response to HM Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022 was extraordinary. Tributes poured in from residents all over Rutland expressing their sense of loss and respect for such an extraordinary woman and monarch. People felt personally bereaved and Rutland's loyalty to our late Queen is beyond doubt. 

"The permanent memorial unveiled today is an appropriate and desirable tribute from and for the people of Rutland now and in the future."

Artist Hywel Pratley crested the statue in bronze. Image credit: Nub News.

Commissioned by the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, the statue is sited in the county town of Oakham as a lasting tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, England's longest reigning and possibly greatest monarch.

The project was launched at an invitation-only Oakham Castle event in 2022.

Donations quickly raised over £100,000, demonstrating strong local support for this project from a community with a tradition of service, volunteering, and admiration for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Officials and crowds at the launch of Rutland's royal statue. Image credit: Nub News.

Local businesses donated, as well as Oakham Town Council, who forked out £5,000 for the build, but most of the funds came from Rutland residents.

The Lord-Lieutenant's ambitious aim to have the statue unveiled just 18 months after the late Queen's death, makes this the first statue of HM Queen Elizabeth II to be erected which was commissioned after her death. The statue was unveiled by Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland & Melton and blessed by Bishop of Peterborough, Debbie Sellins. 

It is free to access and provides a central meeting place for residents and visitors to connect. 

sculptor, Hywel Pratley ahead of the big reveal. Image credit: Nub News.

The statue was created by well-respected sculptor Hywel Pratley who has connections to the local area. He is a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors, whose work in bronze is widely exhibited.

Dr Furness continued: "The statue enhances the area around the library and incorporates a fun element with a Corgi peeking out from the Queen's robes and another two at ground level in front of the plinth, to encourage engagement and a point of interest for social media posts. It will provide another reason to visit Rutland bringing economic as well as social benefits to the area."

The statue was made using local materials and businesses where possible to minimise environmental impact and costs. Mounted on local Ancaster limestone, the bronze statue was cast at the local Le Blanc foundry in Melton Mowbray and installed with the help of local construction company Smithers Purslow.

MP Alicia Kearns revealing the statue. Image credit: Nub News.

To create the statue itself, 800 kilos of clay were used over a steel and aluminum armature filled with polystyrene and expanding foam. The mould required about 120 kg of silicone rubber. 587 kg of bronze was melted at 1140 degrees centigrade to cast the statue.

The Welsh Corgi League were also in attendance today to celebrate the late Queen's life-long love of animals and her special relationship with Corgis.

Artwork recognising the Queen's love of corgis was produced. Image credit: Nub News.