Queen Elizabeth II’s Statue Sparks Outrage: ‘Offensive, Dreadful, and an Insult to Her Majesty’s Memory’
A newly unveiled bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II meant to honor the late monarch, has been met with strong criticism, with many claiming it looks nothing like her. The statue, revealed on September 6 at Antrim Castle Gardens in Antrim and Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, stands alongside an existing statue of her husband, Prince Philip, with whom she shared more than 70 years of marriage. Prince Philip passed away at 99 in 2021, and Queen Elizabeth died at 96 in 2022.
The statue, which includes depictions of the Queen’s two beloved corgis, was created by local artist Anto Brennan, and commissioned by the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. According to the council’s website, the statue “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.”
The Queen is depicted wearing a skirt, boots, and a headscarf while holding her signature purse. The statue was shared on Facebook by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough with a caption explaining, “One of the first of its kind in the UK, the sculpture was created to commemorate Her Late Majesty who passed away two years earlier, on 8 September 2022. It 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.”
However, the public’s reaction to the statue has been overwhelmingly negative. Many Facebook users described the artwork as “offensive” and called for its removal. One commenter stated, “Dreadful..take it down. It’s an insult to Her Majesty.” Another added, “Both need removed & melted down & redone. That’s actually offensive.” Others expressed similar disappointment, with one person writing, “Its actually an insult to Her Majesty’s memory, looks nothing like her.”
Several users also criticized the artistic execution, with one saying, “Absolutely beyond dreadful. It looks utterly ridiculous,” while another commented, “That is definitely not the tribute she deserved!” Another user lamented, “Why can’t anyone hire a sculptor that can actually make a likeness?” Finally, one observer quipped, “Oh dear, what a shame, I am very sure our lovely Queen would not have wanted to be captured in wellies for all eternity.”