Prince Edward to unveil bronze portrait of the Queen

OHMYGOSSIP — The Earl of Wessex has planned to unveil a new portrait of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in Winchester today (28.01.13), where he will also open a state-of-the-art university building.

Britain’s Prince Edward will unveil a bronze portrait of Queen Elizabeth today (28.01.13). The British royal – also known as the Earl of Wessex – has travelled to Winchester in Hampshire for the grand reveal of a giant statue of his mother in the city’s Great Hall to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The Hampshire Rose-shaped monument boasts an engraving of the 86-year-old monarch wearing a necklace and diamond tiara and was paid for with donations from the public as well as Winchester City and Hampshire County Council.

Andover-based artist Vivien Mallock has previously done work for the royal family, notably the Golden Jubilee sculpture which stands in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays.

The Daily Echo reports that the 48-year-old prince is also due to open the university in Winchester’s £6 million new building, St Alphege, which features up-to-the-minute learning facilities.

Edward’s royal duties will hopefully not be foiled by adverse weather this time, after a forecast of freezing fog stopped him from unveiling Leicester’s De Montfort University’s £8 million Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee leisure centre last week (24.01.13).

The engagement was postponed amid fears his helicopter would not be able to fly safely.

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