The first statue of Queen Elizabeth II since her death has been unveiled in a town in England’s smallest county. Oakham in Rutland is now home to a 7ft bronze statue of the late Queen and her beloved corgis, which was revealed on Sunday (April 21) which would’ve been her 98th birthday. From her accession in 1952 until her death 70 years later, the late Queen owned more than 30 corgis, two of whom are commemorated by joining her in the creation. One is amongst the folds of the Imperial Mantle, and the other is at the base of the statue. Real-life corgis barked as the green drape was pulled off on Sunday and crowds sang God Save the King. One spectator had driven several hours from Suffolk with her corgis - meaning ‘dwarf dog’ in Welsh - to witness the event. Alicia Kearns, Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, spoke at the event outside the town library. Before the unveiling she posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “Rutland’s statue will be England’s first permanent memorial to Her Late Majesty” and praised the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, for commissioning the “wonderful tribute”.
