Watch: ‘Hugely exciting, meaningful and poignant’: York prepares for the King and Queen Consort
The Archbishop of York has described tomorrow’s visit of the King and Queen Consort as ‘hugely exciting, meaningful and poignant’.
The Most Rev Stephen Cottrell was speaking at York Minster today (Tuesday, 8 November) which is undergoing last minute preparations for the visit of Charles III and Camilla tomorrow.
He told YorkMix: “It’s hugely exciting for me personally, for York Minster, for the people of York, and for Yorkshire that King Charles is coming – his first visit as king to York and to Yorkshire.
“And for such a meaningful and poignant thing – the unveiling and blessing of the statue of her late Majesty the Queen, which, of course, was made for the Platinum Jubilee, but now will be as a sign of thanksgiving and honour for the whole of the Queen’s reign.”
The Archbishop was involved in both the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the funeral of the Queen.
“It’s been very humbling for me to be part of such historic events. In a way, this draws the chapter of those to a bit of a close, as we unveil and bless the statue to remember the Queen.
“I know tomorrow it will be profoundly moving, of course, especially for King Charles himself, because this is his mother, he is still grieving. So it will be very good to be alongside him on such an occasion.”
Director of works and precinct at York Minster Alex McCallion said the statue is “the first to be unveiled after her late Majesty’s death.
“But it’s a noble statue, and it will be up there for centuries to come overlooking this square, so a fitting tribute to her to Her Majesty’s service.”
That will be Elizabeth Square, the first square created in York in 200 years, part of the Minster’s neighbourhood plan.
Alex said Minster stonemason Richard Bossons, who carved the statue, has created “a world class piece of public art”.
“We are enormously proud of what Richard has produced. And I think this city should be incredibly proud of what’s going to take place tomorrow.
“It’s a huge honour for the king and queen to to come and unveil this statue.”
So how is Richard feeling, ahead of the unveiling? “Nervous – that that would be a bit of an understatement really, with the the royal visit as part of the unveiling.
“But also very excited to have got to the end of what’s been a very long process since the first design drawings back in April 2021.”
For him, “it’s been all consuming – I’ve not been thinking about anything else other than the queen for the last year and a half”.
He only learned the King was to undertake the unveiling a week ago. “I’m very excited to meet him actually, because he’s been such a a strong advocate for crafts, traditional skills and what we do across the Minister.”
And what next? “I’m going to disappear to the Lake District for a week after this – go somewhere quiet and walk in the hills.”