Queen Elizabeth II statue created for her Platinum Jubilee is officially unveiled

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A royal presence is permanently gracing Riverside Park, Andover, in the UK, with the unveiling of a life-size bronze statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II. This sculpture, commissioned by Test Valley Borough Council in 2022, is not just a tribute to her Platinum Jubilee, but also a nod to the community that cherished her through the decades, with a robe adorned with art from the very people she served.

 

Created by renowned sculptor Amy Goodman, the statue captures the Queen in her later years, dressed in a regal robe embellished with artwork inspired by the local community. The design reflects personal and poignant moments from the long-ruling monarch’s life, with scenes like her riding her beloved horse, Burmese, at Trooping the Colour, and her iconic corgis making an appearance.

 

The robe tells a story of a Queen deeply connected to her passions and her people, connecting the community’s collective experiences with her historic reign.

 

 

The unveiling ceremony, presided over by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. celebrated both the Queen’s extraordinary 70-year reign and her connection to the people of Andover. Councillor Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, remarked on the lasting significance of the Platinum Jubilee in British history, noting that the statue would serve as a lasting reminder for future generations.

 

Amy Goodman, reflecting on her work, expressed:

 

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It has been such an honor and privilege to sculpt our late Queen. I wanted to capture her warmth and humility; she did have such a radiant smile. I’ve also loved engaging with the local community and seeing their ideas come to life which have inspired the designs I have inscribed on her robe.

 

The community’sinvolvement in the statue’s design goes beyond the bronze figure. Their artwork, which inspired the final design, is also being showcased in the former O2 unit in the Chantry Centre, giving residents a chance to see their contributions up close.

 

A second statue commissioned for her Platinum Jubilee, depicting a young Elizabeth at her coronation, is set to join the royal ranks in Romsey next year. Together, these sculptures will bookend the life and reign of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, remembering her youthful promise as well as her later, much-loved years.

 

• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8l9pm37mzo 
• https://loveandover.com/queens-sculpture-unveiled-in-andovers-riverside-park/ 
• https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/news/2024/sep/queen-s-sculpture-unveiled-in-andover-s-riverside-park 

 

 

Images: Test Valley Borough Council