Memorial to Queen Elizabeth II unveiled on what would have been her 98th birthday

A memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II has been unveiled in the smallest county in England on what would have been her 98th birthday.

A seven-foot (2.1m) bronze statue depicts the late monarch as a young woman with her beloved corgis at her feet in Rutland. Etched in the stone is a message reading: “Erected as a tribute to Her Late Majesty through public subscription by Rutland people.”

Hundreds of people turned out to witness the reveal alongside corgis from the Welsh Corgi League, who donned patriotic bandanas. Alicia Kearns, the Tory Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, had the honour of unveiling the statue created by sculptor Hywel Pratley.

Queen Elizabeth had many corgis throughout her long life, beginning with Susan gifted to her on her 18th birthday.

The memorial statue was commissioned by Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland after Queen Elizabeth II’s September 2022 death. Close to $155,000 was raised to help fund the memorial.

Furness said at the unveiling: “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.

“Rutland may be a small county, but the response to this had been huge with contributions from local businesses and individuals of varying sizes.”