Duchess Sophie Photographed Visiting Brand-New Statue of Queen Elizabeth

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and her husband, Prince Edward, just became the first of the royal family to visit Queen Elizabeth's new memorial statue in Oakham Library Gardens.

Earlier this week, the royal couple traveled to Rutland and were spotted marveling at the bronze structure, which was originally unveiled on April 21 (what would have been the late queen's 98th birthday). Considered England's first permanent memorial to the monarch, who passed away at age 96 in September 2022, the seven-foot-tall statue shows the queen as a young woman in regal attire, surrounded by three of her corgis. The engraving on the plinth reads, “Queen Elizabeth II, 1926 – 2022. Erected as a tribute to her late Majesty through public subscription by Rutland people.” 

On Twitter, GHR P'borough Stamford & Rutland News shared a video of the pair in good spirits as they observed the grand sculpture and quietly conversed in front of several spectators.

Per the official royal website, the duke and duchess also watched a film about the statue’s creative journey and met its sculptor, Hywel Pratley. But aside from visiting the historical structure, they also visited the Community Garden. On Instagram, the royal family shared snaps of the couple engaging with young kids in the garden and wrote, "At Rutland Show Ground, their royal highnesses visited the Community Garden,  which uses gardening as a form of learning support for children and therapy for those in the surrounding area."

Additionally, the palace included a snap of the duke and duchess visiting Oakham Castle, the oldest court in the country. According to the royal website, they were "asked to forfeit a symbolic horseshoe, an ancient right of the Lord of the Manor to demand of passing Peers of the Realm." They were also "presented an unusual double horseshoe which in due course will join others displayed on the walls presented by past monarchs and members of the royal family."