New Statue of Queen Elizabeth II Sparks Controversy in Northern Ireland
A newly unveiled bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II meant to honor the late monarch, has drawn widespread criticism, with many claiming it bears little resemblance to her. The statue was revealed on September 6 at Antrim Castle Gardens, located in the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. It has been placed next to an existing statue of Prince Philip, her husband of more than 70 years. While Prince Philip passed away at age 99 in 2021, Queen Elizabeth II died the following year at 96.
A tribute to a lifelong partnership
The statue, designed by local artist Anto Brennan, was commissioned by the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. It depicts the Queen standing alongside her two beloved corgis, dressed in a skirt and boots, with a scarf around her head, and carrying her signature handbag. The statue is intended to symbolize her lifelong dedication to public service.
A description on the council’s website highlights this, stating that the sculpture “captures Her Majesty in a dignified pose, reflecting her grace, steadfastness, and lifelong dedication to public service. The sculpture fittingly stands adjacent to the statue of her beloved husband, Prince Philip, highlighting their united presence throughout their remarkable lives.”
Reactions to the statue
However, public reaction has been far from positive. Many social media users, particularly on Facebook, have taken issue with the statue’s appearance. Some described it as “offensive” and a poor tribute to the late Queen. One user commented, “Dreadful… take it down. It’s an insult to Her Majesty.” Another added, “Both need removed & melted down & redone. That’s actually offensive.”
Critics also voiced concerns about the statue’s likeness to Queen Elizabeth II. “It’s actually an insult to Her Majesty’s memory; it looks nothing like her,” a user wrote, while another exclaimed, “Absolutely beyond dreadful. It looks utterly ridiculous.”
The statue’s portrayal of the Queen wearing boots and a headscarf has also fueled discontent, with some feeling that the representation is not fitting for such an iconic figure. “Oh dear, what a shame, I am very sure our lovely Queen would not have wanted to be captured in wellies for all eternity,” one commenter noted.
A divisive tribute
Despite the backlash, the statue remains on public display, with the council promoting it as one of the first of its kind in the UK to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II. In a post on Facebook, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough expressed pride in the sculpture, describing it as a tribute to the Queen’s memory, which “fittingly stands adjacent to the statue of her beloved husband, Prince Philip, on display at the Parterre Garden within Antrim Castle Gardens for the public to enjoy.”
While the intention behind the statue was to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy, the overwhelming public criticism reflects the challenges artists and institutions often face when memorializing such high-profile figures. Whether the statue will remain unchanged or be modified in response to public opinion remains to be seen.