A little piece of history was made in Rutland on Sunday 21 April as the first permanent memorial to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled in the garden at Oakham Library.
Hundreds of people, and nearly 50 corgis from The Welsh Corgi League, gathered to see the statue revealed by Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness, Bishop of Peterborough Debbie Sellins and Alicia Kearns MP, on what would have been The Queen’s 98th birthday. The unveiling ceremony marked a significant moment as Rutland came together to honour and celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II just 18 months after her passing, with music from Harrington School Band and Oakham School Band, as well as bagpipes and the National Anthem.
The 7-foot bronze statue of Britain’s much-loved and longest-reigning monarch was created by Hywel Pratley and depicts a youthful Queen alongside three corgi’s with a joyous sense of movement in the scene. It was commissioned by the Rutland Lieutenancy as a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth and has been funded by generous donations from local businesses and members of the public.
Make time to come to Oakham and see the incredible sculpture, complete with bronze Corgi dogs.
