Queen Elizabeth II sculpture unveiled in Romsey Abbey
A life-sized bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled on Friday, September 4, in Romsey Abbey’s north churchyard. Hampshire artist Amy Goodman created the work, which celebrates the late Queen’s links to Romsey, including Broadlands and the Mountbatten family. Lord Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson and Countess Mountbatten led the reveal before gathered crowds.
Key Takeaways
- The Elizabeth tribute is a life-sized bronze statue by Hampshire sculptor Amy Goodman.
- It stands in Romsey Abbey’s north churchyard and shows the Queen in her younger years.
- Nigel Atkinson and Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, carried out the unveiling.
- Test Valley Borough Council commissioned the piece as a Platinum Jubilee memorial.
- Local leaders hope it will draw more visitors while honouring a 70-year reign.
Why does Romsey have a Queen Elizabeth statue?
Romsey has long-standing ties to the late monarch. She spent part of her honeymoon with Prince Philip at Broadlands and maintained connections with the Mountbatten family and the Abbey itself.
According to the BBC, the sculpture marks those bonds and the Queen’s service. Rev Thomas Warton of Romsey Abbey said the figure will stand near where she once entered the Abbey, making the site especially meaningful for the town.
Test Valley Borough Council commissioned the artwork as the second of two Platinum Jubilee statues. Council leader Cllr Phil North said it recognises her long service and Romsey connections, and helps mark the 2022 Jubilee for future generations.
Who created the sculpture and what does it show?
Amy Goodman, a Hampshire artist based in Quarley, designed and cast the bronze figure. It depicts Elizabeth at a pivotal moment, stepping into a lifetime of service, while also celebrating her special links to Romsey and the Abbey.
Goodman said local stories, memories and contributions shaped the design and helped connect it to the community. She previously called the commission a privilege and said she looked forward to residents and visitors enjoying the artwork for years to come.
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, praised Goodman as an exceptionally talented local artist who was also commissioned for a related statue in Andover. Nokes could not attend because Friday was a sitting day in Parliament.
Will the statue boost tourism in Romsey?
Council leaders hope so. Romsey mayor Cllr Colin Burgess said he was extremely excited and called the tribute a fitting way to remember the late Queen in a prominent place. He added that it gives visitors another stop near the New Forest.
The statue arrived on a flat-loader truck on Tuesday, September 1, ahead of the Friday 1pm unveiling, sparking local interest on social media. Crowds then gathered for the reveal, as covered in BlasterPost Fintech & Crypto Alerts alongside other breaking public-interest stories.
For Hampshire residents and royal-history travellers alike, the new Elizabeth landmark is now a permanent fixture at Romsey Abbey—part memorial, part destination, and a community-rooted work of public art.