Rumble over bronze sculpture imagined to depict Queen Elizabeth II
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A bronze sculpture meant to depict Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and two corgis has triggered outrage as the public insist it looks nothing like them.
The controversial statue was created by north Belfast artist Anto Brennan – known for his chess sets of prominent Northern Irish political figures – and was unveiled in Antrim Castle Gardens on Saturday.
But locals hit out at the piece, with one saying ‘Whoever signed that off needs their eyes tested’.
Others said the prince and dogs ‘look nice’ but the figure meant to be the late Queen doesn’t look like her and there’s ‘something not right’ about it.
Comments on a Facebook post announcing the sculpture have been turned off after a flood of mocking remarks – with one person saying the Queen looked more like Mrs Doubtfire from the 1993 comedy starring Robin Williams.
A bronze sculpture meant to depict Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and two corgis has triggered outrage as the public insist it looks nothing like them
Queen Elizabeth II is pictured walking through the Windsor Great Park
The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell KStJ, and Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM, unveil the sculpture
One online user said the Queen looked more like Mrs Doubtfire from the 1993 comedy starring Robin Williams (pictured)
The proposal for the sculpture of the late Queen and her corgis came in January 2023, adding to the likeness of Prince Philip which was already there.
The Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Paul Dunlop attended the unveiling and said: ‘It’s down to personal taste, everyone has their own opinion but it is what the sculpture represents that is important.’
But when the sculpture was unveiled, the Mayor, Neil Kelly, described it as a ‘beautiful statue’.
When the council posted photos of the statue on Facebook, locals jumped at the chance to express their opinions.
The council posted: ‘The sculpture captures Her Majesty in a dignified pose, reflecting her grace, steadfastness and lifelong dedication to public service.
‘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.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured in 2014
One sassy comment said ‘At least the dogs look good’
The controversial statue was created by north Belfast artist Anto Brennan
‘To complete the scene, the royal couple is joined by two of the more than 30 dogs that Her Majesty owned during her lifetime.’
But one sassy comment said ‘At least the dogs look good’ and another joked: ‘Think you need to ask [discounted online retailer] Temu for your money back.’
A third posted: ‘Looks more like Mrs Doubtfire than our late Queen.’
Another slammed the art piece as offensive and said: ‘Both need removed and melted down and redone. That’s actually offensive.’
Others agreed, saying it is ‘definitely not the tribute she deserved’ and saying it is an ‘insult’ to the Queen.
‘Absolutely beyond dreadful. It looks utterly ridiculous,’ another said.
One local commented: ‘The likeness of Prince Philip is ok but that is a shocking sculpture of our late Queen!’
‘Absolutely beyond dreadful. It looks utterly ridiculous,’ one local said
The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, David McCorkell KStJ and Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Dunlop
However, one came to the artist’s defence and said: ‘Such a shame people can only find fault in these, but don’t think about the time and effort this guy has put into making them.’
Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell KStJ, was appointed as Her Majesty’s Personal Representative for the County in 2019,.
He expressed his honour at being present for the unveiling of the statue. Reflecting on the late Queen’s reign, he said, ‘Queen Elizabeth II will forever be remembered for a life dedicated to duty and for her sustained and selfless service, stretching over 70 years.
‘Seeing these statues alongside each other today, not only protects that bond and makes sure that her legacy as our longest ever reigning monarch lives on, and will be remembered by future generations, but it also reminds us of the bond between her and her Consort, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
‘It remains my greatest privilege to have been Her Majesty’s humble servant. May she rest in peace.’
