Acclaimed British sculptor Hywel Brân Pratley has been entrusted with a momentous national duty: creating the official memorial statue for the late Queen Elizabeth II. The artist has now unveiled his deeply personal and evocative design for the permanent tribute.
A Vision of Warmth and Duty
Pratley's design aims to capture the unique essence of the beloved monarch, moving beyond a formal, distant portrayal. His vision is to present Her Majesty in a warm, engaging pose, reflecting the profound connection she shared with the British public throughout her unprecedented 70-year reign.
The sculptor has spoken of his desire to depict the Queen's "warm but business-like" nature, a quality felt by the many thousands who met her during countless walkabouts and engagements.
A Fitting Tribute for a Nation
The statue is intended to serve as the UK's central, national memorial to its longest-reigning sovereign. The project has the full backing of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which is leading the fundraising efforts for this historic undertaking.
While an exact location for the statue's permanent installation is yet to be formally confirmed, it is widely anticipated to be situated within the grounds of a significant public building in the capital, ensuring it can be visited and appreciated by generations to come.
An Artist's Personal Mission
For Mr. Pratley, the commission is both the pinnacle of his career and a deeply personal project. He has expressed the immense honour and weight of responsibility he feels in sculpting a figure of such immense national importance.
His approach combines meticulous historical research with an artist's intuition, striving to create a timeless piece that truly honours the memory of a monarch who was a constant in national life for so many decades.
