The new statue of the Queen will be officially unveiled at York Minster next month, it was revealed today.
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell will unveil and bless the statue on Friday, 23 September.
Commissioned by the Chapter of York to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the monument was carved by Minster stone mason Richard Bossons.
The statue is already in place. It was installed in its niche on the West Front of the Minster on 2 August. For the unveiling ceremony, the statue will be covered by a large cloth.
Archbishop Stephen will bless the statue and then pull a cord to reveal the spectacular work to the world.
Archbishop Stephen said: “I’m looking forward to unveiling the statue of HM The Queen and thrilled that York Minster has commissioned this statue as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
“The Queen has been a wonderful beacon of hope, integrity, stability, and unity for our country and beyond. Few of us remember a monarch before her. This stability is a reassuring and encouraging presence in the midst of so much change.”
Earlier in the afternoon, the archbishop will view ‘Sculpting the Monarch’ a new exhibition in the Minster’s North Transept, which tells the story of the making of the statue. A full-sized model of the statue will dominate the exhibition.
The vision to create a statue has been a core element of the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan since its inception in 2018.
It is the first phase of a wider scheme of urban regeneration at the West Front of the Minster to create a new public square and civic space. Queen Elizabeth Square will be the first new public square in York in 200 years.
The blessing and unveiling of the statue will be followed by a special service of Evensong at 5.30pm. All are welcome.