<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The King has unveiled a statue to his "beloved" mother in York, the first to be installed since her death.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking in front of crowds at York Minster, King Charles said her effigy would "watch over" the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The King was presented with a maquette of the statue after a service inside the cathedral.</div><div><br></div><div>He later travelled to Doncaster to confer formal city status as he concluded his two-day trip to Yorkshire.</div><div><br></div><div>During the ceremony in York, the King said: "The late Queen was always vigilant for the welfare of her people during her life.</div><div><br></div><div>"Now her image will watch over what will become Queen Elizabeth Square for centuries to come."</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>It depicts the Queen wearing Garter robes and the George IV State Diadem, and holding the orb and sceptre symbols of authority.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>"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." - BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>