Statue of Elizabeth II

A visit to York (on a very rainy day) gave me the opportunity to visit the Minster and see the new statue of HM Queen Elizabeth II, unveiled by King Charles III last November. The statue was intended as a tribute on the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, to mark her 70 years as monarch. Unfortunately she died just after it was finished and so the unveiling was delayed until after the mourning period. It has been placed in a niche on the cathedral's West Front, adjacent to the wonderful 'Heart of Yorkshire' west window. (The heart shape in the tracery can clearly be seen in the image below.)

The statue looks tiny in the vast expanse of the West Front stonework, but in fact is 2m tall and weighs almost two tonnes. It was carved from French Lepine limestone in the Minster's own stoneyard and designed by master carver Richard Bossons, one of the Minster's stonemasons. 

Inside the Minster there was an interesting exhibition detailing the statue's creation, from initial design through the modelling stages to the carving of the final sculpture. The larger-than-life-size model is on display so that visitors can see the detail close up. Made of polyurethane, modelling clay and plaster, the model provided precise 3D measurements, which were then machine-cut into a block of limestone. The master carver hand-finished the detailed carving. Her Majesty is depicted wearing Garter Robes. 

Long time readers of my blog may remember that my daughter and I were lucky enough to get tickets to watch the Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle in 2013 (see HERE) so we did see the Queen in similar robes. The Order of the Garter is one of the oldest and most senior orders of knighthood in Britain, consisting of the Monarch, senior members of the Royal family and 24 Knights (both men and women), chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, made an outstanding contribution to national life or served the Sovereign personally.