A new statue of Queen Elizabeth II has been installed beside a prior statue of her husband Prince Philip in the gardens of Antrim Castle, near Belfast in Northern Ireland. The bronze monument by Anthony Brennan was unveiled on Friday, September 6. It shows the late monarch in a moment of private leisure, dressed for a walk through the countryside with her beloved Corgis.
The local council, which commissioned the work, said it is “a lasting tribute to Her Majesty’s remarkable legacy” and that it is “proud to have it as part of the community’s cultural landscape.” It claimed that the reaction of visitors and locals had been largely positive, but in some corners of the internet it has been open season on the statue.
Online commentators were delighted by the chance to mock and deride the statue. Some questioned whether it was an accurate likeness of her majesty, with one suggesting that it more closely resembled the film character Mrs. Doubtfire, played by Robin Williams. Even a local politician Vera McWilliam told the BBC, “we have to be honest, it does not resemble the Queen in any shape or form.”
The Queen, has been portrayed frequently throughout her reign, but some took to the internet to accuse this latest homage of being “offensive” while another said “it’s actually an insult to Her Majesty’s memory.”
Anto Brennan’s statue of Queen Elizabeth II and Price Philip in the gardens of Antrim Castle in Northern Ireland. Photo courtesy of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
“A gigantic garden gnome would have been better — a set of those would have been rather interesting,” the art historian Richard Morris told the London Times.
“Whoever signed that off needs their eyes tested,” a local told the BBC. “It’s not good.”
The council has released a statement saying it “acknowledges that art can sometimes spark diverse opinions, but it’s important to emphasize that the sculpture has been warmly received by most who have seen it in person.”
“The statue beautifully captures Her Majesty’s grace and steadfastness, standing as a fitting tribute to her extraordinary life and reign,” it added. “While social media may amplify certain negative viewpoints, the Council encourages everyone to visit Antrim Castle Gardens and experience the sculpture firsthand.”
It seems that ridiculing royal portraits is becoming a national sport in the U.K. The same fate recently befell King Charles’ first official portrait, revealed in May, and another painting of Kate Middleton for Tatler, released later that same month. In fact, there is a very long history of dodgy depictions of kings and queens that have failed to find public favor or a royal pardon. A glittering crown can only hide so many sins.