The local council told CNN that the bronze statue of the queen has been “warmly received by the vast majority of people who have seen it in person.”
Although the council limited comments on its original post, the debate spread to X (formerly known as Twitter), where photos of the statue were viewed millions of times and many users compared it to the infamous statue of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Many users on social media mocked the bronze statue. One user said, “Why was this job given to such a less talented sculptor? Why was the statue accepted as a memorial to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and signed off by the authority?”
While another user said, “Sorry. Can’t let this go. WHO saw this bronze, and said “Yeah. Looks good, dude… we’ll glue it on..” WHO?? Can make crap things out of Lego too… or cow dung… this is just… bad… really bad…”
Meanwhile, one user on Facebook commented, “Could be anyone.” Another wrote that the statue was “beautiful” but that it “did not look like our late queen or reflect how she always dressed.”
Another user wrote, “Even the corgi is confused.”
A netizen said, “A new statue commemorating Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip was unveiled in Antrim Castle Gardens last Saturday…It’s horrible…It doesn’t look like the Queen or the Prince at all… Horrible… Terrible… Melt it down and get it made by another sculptor…”
The statue, one of the first artworks created in the United Kingdom to commemorate the late queen, was created by artist Anto Brennan as a commission from Antrim and Newton Abbey Borough Council. It was installed in Antrim Castle Gardens, about 19 miles (30 kilometers) north of Belfast, and unveiled on Friday.
It shows Elizabeth looking into the distance, wearing a tweed skirt, rubber boots, checked vest and headscarf, a handbag hanging from her left hand, and two of her famous corgis at her feet. Behind her stands a figure of her husband Philip, with his hands behind his back.
The council acknowledged that “art can sometimes give rise to different views” but said it was “particularly pleased with how the (Elizabeth) statue complements its surrounding environment, standing next to a statue of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and flanked by two lovingly groomed corgis.” CNN has contacted Brennan for comment.
