New Statue of Queen Elizabeth Draws Criticism That It Doesn’t Resemble the Late Monarch ‘In Any Shape or Form’

A new statue of Queen Elizabeth is drawing scrutiny after some say it doesn’t resemble the monarch.

The bronze sculpture, created by Northern Ireland artist Anto Brennan, was unveiled in the Antrim Castle Gardens on Friday, Sept. 6. However, shortly after it was revealed in the public park, several people took to social media to voice both positive and negative feedback for its depiction of Queen Elizabeth.

“We have to be honest, it does not resemble the queen in any shape or form,” Antrim and Newtownabbey counselor Vera McWilliam told BBC News.

Antrim local Richard told the outlet that he was also “really disappointed” after seeing the statue in person, which depicts Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in their everyday attire along with two of the Queen’s beloved corgis,. “Whoever signed that off needs their eyes tested,” he said. “It’s not good.”

Going a step further, he added, “I would take it away. It doesn’t do anything in memory for Her Majesty, so definitely I would remove it.”

Several people echoed his sentiments online under the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough’s post about the new sculpture. One person wrote, “Dreadful…take it down. It’s an insult to Her Majesty,” while another added, “Both need [to be] removed and melted down and redone.”

That said, the feedback wasn’t all bad. Antrim officials and some UK residents shared a more positive outlook on the statue, including the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Neil Kelly, who described the statue as “beautiful” and said it was a “tribute not only to Her Majesty’s extraordinary life and reign but also to her deep connection with the people of our Borough.”

Northern Ireland resident Brenda also praised the state for its uniqueness, telling BBC News that the statue “caught my eye right away.” She explained that “on the whole it is really nice,” though she wished that the statue of the queen was “made to look older.” 

Another couple, Francis and Marie, told the outlet that they thought the artist got the royal couple’s likeness “down to the tee” with the statue. 

“They’ve got the Queen as she’s young. I think the two would be very pleased with it. And they’ve got the corgis all round,” Francis said. “That is the Queen, she loved being outside and that’s why there’s a smile on her face.”

According to the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, the sculpture was created “to commemorate” the Queen on the two-year anniversary of her death on Sept. 8, 2022, and reflect her “grace, steadfastness and lifelong dedication to public service.” The Antrim Castle Gardens is located close to the city of Belfast, where the late Queen last visited in 2016 alongside Prince Philip.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

When asked about the public’s reaction of the statue, the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council told BBC News in a statement that “art can sometimes spark diverse opinions, but it’s important to emphasize that the sculpture has been warmly received by most who have seen it in person.”

“The statue beautifully captures Her Majesty’s grace and steadfastness, standing as a fitting tribute to her extraordinary life and reign,” the council added, noting that they were “delighted with the generally positive response” they received on the statue.

Historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop, who is writing a book about monuments, said “Sometimes it’s best to just give it a beat before you erect a monument,” per the Times. “The Antrim one gives this idea of domesticity, and I don’t think in the longer term that is what the Queen will come to represent.”

She added, “I don’t want to knock the local artist, but I worry [about] that homespun aspect and this idea of the Queen being an emotional blank canvas onto which we project our ideas of motherhood and a sort of dog-loving, comely wife in a headscarf. I think that actually, in time, we’ll see her much more as a stateswoman. Certainly that was her role in Ireland.”

The reveal comes on the heels of the announcement of another new monument planned to be unveiled on what would have been her 100th birthday in 2026 — this one in London. St. James’s Park will be the location of the new statue honoring the late monarch, who died at 96 years old two years ago.