New Queen Elizabeth Statue Depicts Monarch in Headscarf and Boots

A new tribute to the late monarch was unveiled before the second anniversary of her death.

A new statue of Queen Elizabeth depicts the late monarch casually dressed in a headscarf and boots. She stands alongside a statue of her husband, Prince Philip, dressed in a suit and tie. The tribute to the late monarch was unveiled before the second anniversary of her death. The statue is on display in a Northern Ireland park.

Queen Elizabeth statue depicts a casually dressed royal

A bronze statue commemorating the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth was unveiled at Antrim Castle Gardens in Northern Ireland. It was created by artist Anto Brennan.

A post on the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Facebook page displayed a series of photos of the unveiling. Instead of Elizabeth portrayed in more formal clothing, the statue depicts the queen in a skirt and boots, with a scarf around her head and a purse on her arm. The statue stands alongside one of her late husband, Prince Philip, dressed in a suit, and two of their beloved Corgi’s.

The post’s caption states, “The sculpture captures Her Majesty in a dignified pose, reflecting her grace, steadfastness, and lifelong dedication to public service.” The commemorative artwork is displayed at the Parterre Garden within Antrim Castle Gardens.

Queen Elizabeth’s statue paid homage to her love of English leisurewear

Typically, Queen Elizabeth was seen in public wearing carefully coordinated, fashionable looks. These outfits became her uniform and allowed her to stand out among others when meeting the public.

The monochromatic look she favored in her later years became as iconic as Elizabeth’s rule. From head to toe, the monarch would dress in one bright color so she could be seen by attendees during her appearances.

But during her downtime, the queen typically dressed in quintessential English leisure wear. She was often photographed wearing Wellington boots, quilted jackets, and headscarves, particularly at Balmoral in Scotland, where the royals could relax from their royal duties.

Elizabeth wore this type of outfit when riding her beloved horses. She also donned leisure wear when attending events such as the Royal Windsor Horse Show, an outdoor event where a more formal look would seem out of sorts.

The depiction of the queen drew harsh criticism

Queen Elizabeth’s statue drew harsh criticism from royal watchers who believed it did not flatter the late monarch. Many thought a different representation of Queen Elizabeth would have been better than how she was depicted.

“Oh dear, what a shame. I am very sure our lovely Queen would not have wanted to be captured in wellies for all eternity,” wrote one Facebook follower.

“That is definitely not the tribute she deserved!” penned a second social media follower. A third agreed, “It’s actually an insult to Her Majesty’s memory; looks nothing like her.”

Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022. The Council’s King Charles III Coronation Sub Committee proposed commissioning the creation of this sculpture in January 2023.