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A newly unveiled statue of Queen Elizabeth II in Northern Ireland has sparked mixed reactions. The bronze sculpture, which depicts the late monarch alongside her husband Prince Philip and two of her iconic corgis, was recently installed at Antrim Castle Gardens, near Belfast. While the local council reported that the statue had been "warmly received" by many, social media reactions have been less kind.
Some commenters on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) criticized the statue for not resembling the Queen, comparing it to the infamous bust of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo that also faced widespread ridicule. Others praised the statue, noting its "beautiful" design but acknowledging that it didn't capture the Queen's likeness.
Despite the divided opinions, the council defended the artwork, stating it complements its surroundings and stands adjacent to a statue of Prince Philip. The sculpture, created by artist Anto Brennan, portrays Elizabeth in her characteristic country attire, gazing into the distance with her beloved corgis by her side.
This is one of the first statues of the Queen in the UK since her passing in 2022, adding to the long history of artwork commemorating the late monarch. However, like many artistic tributes, it has ignited passionate responses from the public.
