Prince Edward and Sophie visit Queen Elizabeth II’s memorial statue

Prince Edward and Sophie braved the rain on Tuesday to become the first members of the royal family to visit a new memorial statue of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were on a visit to Oakham, Rutland in the East Midlands.

The royal couple went to the town’s library, which is now home to the first memorial statue of the late Queen, Edward’s mother, which features her beloved corgis at her feet.

Edward and Sophie were the first royals to see the eye-catching seven-foot bronze statue, and the Duchess couldn’t resist petting the corgis as she spoke to crowds.

The couple took a moment to look at the statue in silence and take in the meaningful tribute to the late monarch.