York: King Charles unveils first statue of Queen since her death

The statue of the late Queen sits in a niche at the west front of York Minster

The King has unveiled a statue to his "beloved" mother in York, the first to be installed since her death.

The 6ft 7in (2m) sculpture was designed to celebrate the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee and was completed in August, the month before she died.

Speaking in front of crowds at York Minster, King Charles said her effigy would "watch over" the city.

The King was presented with a maquette of the statue after a service inside the cathedral.

King Charles III is presented with a maquette of the statue of Queen Elizabeth II

He later travelled to Doncaster to confer formal city status as he concluded his two-day trip to Yorkshire.

During the ceremony in York, the King said: "The late Queen was always vigilant for the welfare of her people during her life.

"Now her image will watch over what will become Queen Elizabeth Square for centuries to come."

The statue, which sits in a niche at the west front of the Minster, is said to weigh almost two tonnes and is made from French lepine limestone.

It depicts the Queen wearing Garter robes and the George IV State Diadem, and holding the orb and sceptre symbols of authority.

Richard Bossons designed the statue of the late Queen

The design had been chosen by the late monarch and was originally due to be unveiled in September, but this was postponed after the Queen's death.

Earlier, the Archbishop of York said: "I think for the King personally it's going to be a time of sadness, because this is his mother. But also it is an honour for us to receive him and to welcome him.

"It will be a time of great thanksgiving, we have so much to be thankful for. I believe the new King Charles has made a very impressive start."

This will be the first statue of Queen Elizabeth II to be unveiled since her death - and it is likely to be the first of many.

If you think of the multitude of statues erected to another long-reigning monarch, Queen Victoria, there will almost certainly be many more such events as statues to Queen Elizabeth are opened in public squares and parks around the country.

This new statue in York has a traditional design - with the Queen in the robes of the Order of the Garter and wearing the George IV diadem. It's carved from Lepine stone, a pale French limestone that's been used for restoration work in the medieval minster.

It will be a poignant moment for King Charles to unveil this image of his mother, who died two months ago.

It was meant to be part of the celebrations of her Platinum Jubilee but is now commemorating her memory.

Crowds gathered in Doncaster to welcome the King and Queen Consort to the newly-designated city

Earlier, a 23-year-old man was detained by police after eggs were thrown at the King and Queen Consort during the couple's visit to York.

The royal couple later travelled to Doncaster to formally confer its city status in a special ceremony at the Mansion House.

The King was cheered by crowds as he arrived in South Yorkshire, where he spent six minutes meeting well-wishers in an unplanned walkabout.

Charles and Camilla then attended a reception with a menu which included free range egg and watercress sandwiches.