Statue of the Queen to be installed at York Minster
It'll coincide with the Platinum Jubilee in 2022
A new statue of the Queen is going to be installed in York Minster, to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Details of the statue are being closely guarded, but Her Majesty will select the final design.
It'll be installed in an empty niche, or recess, at the front of the Minster.
In a planning application for the statue, The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost, Dean of York Minster said: “Details of the statue design are also confidential and need to be given only essential and limited circulation so that the city of York can plan a public ‘reveal’ of the statue in 2022.
The Minster’s neighbourhood plan includes proposals for a new public square, to be called the Queen Elizabeth Square, which would be overlooked by the statue.
A spokesperson for York Minster said a further announcement about the proposals could be made later this year.
They said: “We are very excited about this project which was originally proposed in the York Minster Masterplan consultation back in 2018 and which is now one of the key elements of the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan, which has now been submitted to City of York Council.
“The planned new statue of Her Majesty the Queen will overlook the proposed new Queen Elizabeth Square a major public realm scheme for Duncombe Place which when completed will be the pre-eminent civic and ceremonial space for the city.
“Planning and preparation are well advanced and we hope to make an announcement about the project in the autumn.”
York Minster said the statue and square are part of a project that will “signal the recovery and resurgence of the city from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and as a symbol of hope”.
The planning application adds: “Her Majesty has approved the proposal and will ultimately select the design of the statue which will be carved by the Minster’s masons.
“Chapter wish to adorn the Minster and to honour Her Majesty.
“Buckingham Palace has given assent in principle to the ambitions of a public realm enhancement project, which would transform the west front of the Minster and the sense of civic place in the environs.
“We will create what will become the Queen Elizabeth Square.
“The proposed statue is an emblematic part of this exciting vision … and will be part of the public campaign to signal the recovery and resurgence of the city from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and as a symbol of hope.
“The brief Chapter set is to adorn the selected west front niche with a high quality statue of our sovereign, depicted in her garter robes, with the key symbols of her office as the head of our church and state.”