#The Queen’s Corgi

[tiny-librarian]

Today marks what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 98th birthday, and to mark the occasion, a new statue of her surrounded by her beloved corgis has been unveiled in Rutland's county town of Oakham.

The statue is the first to be commissioned since her death in September 2022, and is set to be a permanent fixture paying tribute to England's longest reigning monarch. The 7ft (2.1m) bronze statue features a somewhat younger Queen Elizabeth II in her crown and what appears to be robes of the Order of the Thistle, surrounded by four adoring corgis.

On display outside Oakham Library, the artwork was commissioned by the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr. Sarah Furness, told Oakham Nub News it was in response to the "depth of loss felt in Rutland on the late Queen's death".

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[denisemariaworld]

[dopescissorscashwagon]

Today sharing the first royal Christmas card that was printed in colour. ⁠⁠

The card was released in 1957 and sees Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and their two children, Charles and Anne, outside with two of the Queen’s dogs.⁠

[royalcorgisanddorgis]

[trexalicious]

How lovely! 🇱🇻❤️🇬🇧

[thepastisalreadywritten]

By India McTaggart and Tracey Kandohla

21 April 2024

The first statue of Queen Elizabeth II since her death has been unveiled to the approving barks of nearly 50 corgis.

The permanent memorial to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch – complete with her own immortalised dogs – has been hailed as a fitting tribute for the “mother of our nation.”

The eye-catching 7ft bronze statue went on display on what would have been the late monarch’s 98th birthday, with a group of her favourite dogs stealing the show.

It takes pride of place outside the library in the market town of Oakham, in Rutland, Britain’s smallest county.

It depicts a youthful Queen Elizabeth – who stood at just 5ft 4in – standing at 7ft in regal robes with three loyal corgi companions at her feet, one peeking out from the creases.

It serves as a permanent reminder of her 70-year reign and her enduring affection for the Pembroke Welsh breed.

Sculptor Hywel Pratley believes the memorial will become a hit not only with royal fans, but that it will attract social media users wanting a selfie beside the late monarch and her dogs.

Speaking before the unveiling in front of a 400-person crowd and with a host of local dignitaries attending, he said:

“The plinth is designed to be sat on and I can see the statue becoming popular with the Instagram generation, and why not?

It will make a perfect backdrop for pictures and people will be able to reach up and pat a dog or if small enough even sit in its back.”

Mr Pratley, 51, who is half Welsh and lives in Chelmsford, Essex, told how he chose to add the corgis for a “bit of fun and to tap into the late Queen’s humanity and address her friendliness.”

He explained he made the statue larger than life because a “life-size Queen Elizabeth is too small. She deserves more.”

The £125,000 statue was commissioned by Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, following the Queen’s death in September 2022.

Addressing the crowds in the spring sunshine, she said:

“We are witnessing a piece of history today with the first statue of Queen Elizabeth to be commissioned since her death and who gave us 70 years of exemplary service.

Rutland may be a small county, but the response to this had been huge with contributions from local businesses and individuals of varying sizes.”

As she spoke, barks from 46 dogs from the Welsh Corgi League rang out, and she said, smiling: “You can hear them!”

She added: “The statue is for everyone.”

Before his cancer battle had been known and made public, King Charles III had been invited to unveil the statue.

It is not known if Palace officials had agreed to the request.

Instead, the honour fell to Alicia Kearns, the Tory MP for Rutland and Melton, before being blessed by Debbie Sellins, the Bishop of Peterborough.

One resident, Hilda Townsend, said: “It is just wonderful. We are the tiniest county, but the first to honour the late majesty in such a big way. It is a very fitting tribute.”

Her husband, John, added: “It is absolutely amazing and, as Rutlanders, makes us extremely proud.”

The unveiling of two of the three bronze corgis was given to two young children who had won a local school art competition.

In an emotional speech, Ms Kearns, 31, said:

“It is an incredible statue of our beloved Queen, who showed unwavering commitment.

We hope we can reflect on her legacy of compassion, strength and leadership. The statue was no mean feat and is for all of Rutland and all of our country, and to come together in joy. Rutland leads and others will follow.”

The MP revealed that the King would be visiting the statue.

Crowds of local residents mingled with visitors from further afield, some waving Union flags, with children sporting gold paper crowns on their heads.

She told spectators: “I am proud to play my very small part in helping to celebrate her reign,” pointing to the statue and saying: “She belongs to all of you.”

Following the unveiling, a lone bagpiper played a lament to the late Queen and the National Anthem was played, with crowds joining in.

Dozens of corgis, some wearing red, white and blue, then posed beside the new monument with their owners and officials before parading along the packed streets to Oakham Castle for a meet-and-greet session with the public.

Among the corgi owners was Katrina Emptage from Lincoln, with her two-year-old pet, Mable.

She said: “The statue is absolutely amazing and I’m delighted to be here to see it and be part of the corgi parade. It is very special.”

The late Queen held a life-long, deep affection for the breed after she fell in love with the dogs as a child.

She owned more than 30 over the years, many of which were direct descendants of the first, Susan, which was given to her as an 18th birthday present by her parents in 1944.

Speaking of his inspiration, Mr Pratley said:

“I very quickly thought that I would like to have a corgi nestling in her robes by her feet because what a great symbol it is, artistically, of her being mother of a nation.”

[krasivaa]

Princess Anne and Prince Charles (KCIII) play on an improvised see-saw helped by their father Prince Philip and watched by their mother, the Queen, and a corgi of theirs in 1957. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💌🐶

(x)

[cpahlow]

[notsoblackandwhite101]

OK! Heres a question I have. You remember the royal Corgi family? These guys?

We know from the one Corgi brother (The one with the mostly white face.) that his brother handles crowds better than he dose. However something I learned a while ago is that the prince was referring to... Waffles. The tiny puppy. Its implied in additional materials that the Orange and black Corgi are his parents apparently? I actually always took this Prince Corgi to be the King's brother. Not Prince Waffles brother. I mean, if those are his parents, then he's the same size as adult Corgis. Plus he's also flirting with Dolly? Who's not fully grown yet? I dunno if thats a short dog thing but... thats not how I saw this family dynamic.

So for clarification, In my AU NSBAW, The Prince we see Dolly flirting with is the King's younger brother. (I'd say the king is 25 and the prince is 18. Also, all the main, royal corgi family members are named after food. (Except the Queen consort, who married into the family!) So we have King Pancake and his wife, Queen Consort Miracle, only child, son and heir to the throne, Prince Waffles AND The King's Brother, second in line of succession for the throne, Prince Flapjack XD

You all understand what I'm saying?

(Heres a handy drawing if my words didn't explain properly...)

[corgipon]

here's my shadow queen backstory take

long ago the kingdom had a queen and a hero, but the hero was slain by their enemy

the queen wished for his resurrection, but the star spirits refused to violate the balance of life and death by granting it

her sorrow turned to anger as she executed her enemy anger turned to madness as her reign of terror begun

eventually she forged the crystal stars with the intention of becoming immortal

however all that did was sign the death warrant to her and her kingdom, and the birth certificate of a demon that was within her since the death of her hero

the demon's rise would take all of the kingdom's people, including the queen's 3 daughters [the eldest of which actively accepted such a fate], and turn them all into shadows of their former selves

That’s a wonderful backstory idea for Shadow Queen!! Well done!

[ariadneauxyeuxmarrons]

Remembering Queen Elizabeth II born on 21st April 1926. Here with one of her corgis in the 1950s.

[for-valour]

BERTIE IS DRIVING! :)

Also, the original car --a black 1939 Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupé-- is still in existence today and from what I have read, is well-loved and looked after by its current owner!

From the BBC documentary, Princess Margaret: The Rebel Royal. gifs made by @for-valour

[tiny-librarian]

As we mourn a year on, we also celebrate the wonderful times we shared with Her Late Majesty the Queen. She entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am delighted to say they are thriving.

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[dopescissorscashwagon]

Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh & their Corgi

[royalcorgisanddorgis]

Royal Corgi watching over Royal Family

[grandmaster-anne]

Lilibet and her loyal companions 👑🐕