EXCITEMENT is building for the return of a very special visitor to Dorset. 

This Thursday, the Queen will be coming to Dorchester– her first visit to the county since 2009. 

She will be greeted by lucky residents of Poundbury, her son Prince Charles’ architectural project. 

Details of the visit are being kept top secret but it has been revealed that the Queen will unveil an iconic statue of the late Queen Mother.

The much anticipated 9ft 6in cast bronze statue is to be the focal point of Queen Mother Square in the heart of Prince Charles’ model village.

Of the visit, Mayor of Dorchester cllr Tim Harries previously told the Echo: “I am very much looking forward to the royal visit, it is great for the town and will be an historic event as it is the first time the Queen, along with her husband, Prince Charles, and his wife have all visited together.

“We were asked at our last council meeting if we were happy to take over the responsibility of the statue, which we have graciously accepted, and are grateful that it will now become part of the town fabric.”

The statue has been created by celebrated sculptor Philip Jackson and will take pride of place opposite the Duchess of Cornwall Pub.

It is an exact replica of the Queen Mother’s statue which stands on the Mall in London and depicts her at the age of 51 when she was widowed.

Poundbury is an urban extension to Dorchester, built on Duchy of Cornwall land, according to the principles of architecture and urban planning advocated by The Prince of Wales.

Work began in 1993 with the idea to create an urban quarter of Dorchester, where commercial buildings are mixed with residential areas, shops and leisure facilities.

At the heart of Poundbury is Queen Mother Square, the newly–completed central hub of classically designed commercial and residential buildings which are predominantly named after the favourite racehorses of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. 

Today, Poundbury is home to 3,000 people in a mix of private and affordable housing. The community also provides employment to 2,100 people and is home to 185 businesses

Tomorrow's Dorset Echo will feature an 8–page Looking Back picture special of the Queen in Dorset.