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Historic moment first memorial statue to the late Queen is unveiled on what would have been her 98th birthday - featuring her beloved Corgis at her heels as real-life owners of the breed mass to pay their respects

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The stunning memorial depicts a youthful Queen Elizabeth - who stood at just 5ft 4in - in flowing regal robes with three loyal corgi companions at her feet, and one can be seen peeking out from the creases.

It serves as a permanent reminder to her remarkable 70-year reign and her enduring affection for the Pembroke Welsh breed.

Sculptor Hywel Pratley believes the memorial will become a hit not only with royal fans but will attract social media users wanting a selfie beside the late HM and her trio of corgis.

Over her decades on the throne, the late Queen owned an estimated 30 corgis and dorgis (dachshund and corgi mixes) and perhaps became the most famous Pembroke Welsh Corgi owner in history.

Throughout her reign, she was photographed with the animals wherever she went. 

The statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II is unveiled today in Oakham, Rutland, today

The statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II is unveiled today in Oakham, Rutland, today

A confused-looking corgi looks at a statue of the breed at the feet of the late Queen

A confused-looking corgi looks at a statue of the breed at the feet of the late Queen

The eye-catching seven-foot bronze statue went on display on what would have been the late Queen's 98th birthday with a group of corgis stealing the show

The eye-catching seven-foot bronze statue went on display on what would have been the late Queen's 98th birthday with a group of corgis stealing the show

The statue serves as a permanent reminder to her remarkable 70-year reign and her enduring affection for the Pembroke Welsh breed

The statue serves as a permanent reminder to her remarkable 70-year reign and her enduring affection for the Pembroke Welsh breed

Queen Elizabeth and her beloved corgis over the yearsLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%0:00PreviousPlaySkipMuteCurrent Time0:00/Duration Time6:42FullscreenNeed TextKing Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheery this morning as they headed to Sunday service

King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheery this morning as they headed to Sunday service

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Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheery this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral to mark the date.

The late monarch's lifelong commitment to her beloved pets helped her show a more candid side to the world, even writing 'wickedly funny' letters from her corgis to Jack Russells belonging to her former equerry Sir Blair Stewart-Wilson.

The Queen's love of corgis stretches back to her childhood, when her father King George VI bought Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret a Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi when she was seven. 

In 1944, on the Queen's 18th birthday, a corgi named Susan arrived and they quickly became inseparable.

Queen Elizabeth loved Susan so much that she joined the Monarch and Prince Philip on their honeymoon in 1947.

When the late Queen gave birth to Prince Charles, newspaper columns were full of advice on how she could prevent Susan from becoming jealous of the infant prince.

Susan soon began her own corgi dynasty, with Sugar, who was Prince Charles' and Honey, who went to the Queen Mother.

The late Queen loved her so much that following the dog's death in 1959, she personally designed a headstone for her grave at Sandringham House.

The faithful pets would come with her on her royal tours, with royal aides attending to their every need and carrying them in and out of aeroplanes.

Her love of corgis was so well-known even the Royal Collection began to sell corgi-shaped Christmas ornaments, acknowledging her fondness for the breed.

And today, the permanent memorial featuring the dogs was hailed as 'absolutely amazing' and 'fantastic' by spectators.

The Welsh Corgi League were also in attendance today. Pictured is a corgi on the statue

The Welsh Corgi League were also in attendance today. Pictured is a corgi on the statue

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