Tuesday 21st April 2026 was the centenary of the birth of our late Queen, Elizabeth II.
To mark the event there was a short ceremony in front of Rutland’s statue commemorating her reign, adjacent to the Library in Oakham, starting at 11.45.
A summary of the event:
- Words of welcome from Dr Sarah Furness, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland
- A poem celebrating the late Queen’s reign, written and read by Henry Dawe
- The unveiling of the Discover Rutland information sign adjacent to the statue
- Laying of a bouquet at the statue of Queen Elizabeth II
- The National Anthem
Immediately before this the Lord-Lieutenant hosted a tea party for mothers and children – ‘Elevenses for the Queen’.
A video of the poem by Henry Dawe is available below or through this link.