Description
Oakham is home to the first permanent memorial to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which was unveiled in April 2024 on what would have been her 98th birthday. Placed in Oakham Library gardens, the statue is accessible from the town footpath.
Commissioned by Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, the beautiful statue of Britain’s much-loved and longest-reigning monarch was created by Hywel Pratley and cast in bronze by the Le Blanc Fine Art Bronze Foundry at Saxby, near Melton.
There’s a joyous sense of movement in the scene, which depicts Queen Elizabeth II as a young monarch in full regal dress. In a deliberate attempt to emphasise her warmth and humanity, the composition incorporates three Corgis, her favourite dogs. Sited in the garden of Oakham Library, the statue can be seen from the road and can be enjoyed by the surrounding pavements and benches.
The lasting tribute was funded almost entirely by donations from local businesses and members of the public and as such, not only stands as a monument to the longest reigning monarch in Britain’s history, but as a testament to the depth of affection with which the people of Rutland remember Her Late Majesty.
Follow the footsteps of the Royal Tour undertaken by Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, with our Royal Visit Itinerary. As well as visiting the statue, Their Royal Highnesses donated a special double horseshoe to Oakham Castle and enjoyed a cruise on the Rutland Belle with a meal of local produce provided by The Olive Branch.
