A large crowd gathered to witness the unveiling of a new statue of Queen Elizabeth II.
And as the cover was pulled down to reveal the almost life-size bronze figure outside Oakham Library, delighted applause greeted the late monarch’s familiar features.
The statue, which stands on a plinth flanked by three bronze corgis, was the first of the Queen to be commissioned following her death in September 2022.
It was unveiled at 2pm today (Sunday, April 21) on what would have been the Queen’s 98th birthday.
Two children - five-year-old Molly Banham and nine-year-old Freddie Newsham - had the honour of unveiling a bronze corgi each thanks to their winning entries in a corgi-themed art competition.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, MP Alicia Kearns (Con) said: “This is a magnificent tribute and serves as a reminder of her late majesty’s grace, her wisdom and her unwavering commitment to her kingdom and to every county. Even this, her smallest one.
“As we stand before this monument I hope we can reflect on her legacy. A legacy of compassion, strength and of leadership. She guided us through challenges and celebrated with us in times of joy.
“And her memory lives on, not just this statue but in our hearts and in the very fabric of our society.”
Mrs Kearns unveiled the statue of the Queen with The Lord Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness, and Bishop of Peterborough Debbie Sellin.
Oakham School pupils played the national anthem towards the end of the ceremony.
A lone bagpiper played Sleep, Dearie, Sleep as a lament to the late queen, and later led a parade involving nearly 50 dogs from the Welsh Corgi League over to Oakham Castle, where a ‘meet the corgis’ event took place in the grounds.
A discreet police presence throughout pointed to the importance of the occasion, and that the project has attracted a few vocal critics. The ceremony passed without incident.
The statue, which is the work of Hywell Pratley, a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors and Society of Portrait Sculptors, has a Clipsham stone plinth beneath it that reads ‘This memorial statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll (1952- 2022) was erected as a tribute, through public subscription by the people of Rutland, for future generations’.
Donors of £5,000 or more to the project, which has cost about £125,000, could choose to be named on flagstones at the foot of the plinth.
Archie the corgi has a word in a pal's earUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Unveiling of the corgis by local school children who won the art competitionUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Archie the corgiUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Crowd shotUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Unveiling of the corgis by local school children who won the art competitionUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Crowd shotUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Crwods attendingUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Sculptor Hywel Prately with art competition winnersUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Crwods attendingUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Sculptor Hywel PratelyUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham.Unveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Unveiling of the corgis by local school children who won the art competitionUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham.Unveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Corgis attendingUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Sarah FurnessUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham.Unveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham.Unveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham.Unveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Unveiling of the corgis by local school children who won the art competitionUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Archie the corgiUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. sculptor Hywel PratelyUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham.Hundreds of people turned up to watch the ceremonyThe Lord Lieutenant of Rutland's RAF Cadet Sgt William Dean stands to attention as the bagpiper playsUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. High tea in the street - Pippy Woodley and Grenville Crawford, Castellan of Castle BythamUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Sarah Furness with Bishop of Peterborough Rt Revd Debbie SellinUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. The corgis attendingUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Guests at the eventUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Crowd shotUnveiling of Elizabeth II statue at Oakham. Crowd shotMembers of the public took photos of the statueOakham School pupils Eddie Nicholson, Grace Hornsby, Wilfie Price, Monty Price, Iona Simpson, Joshua Davis, Fergus Simpson, Will Fearn and Archie FosterThe Lord Lieutenant of Rutland's cadets, Ellie Moore for the police and Sgt William Dean for the RAFThe start of the Welsh corgi paradeThe start of the Welsh corgi paradeCrowds turned up to watch the unveiling of the statue, which is Rutland's first public statueA Welsh corgi, which was among those involved in a parade