Statue of Matilda squaring up to Donald Trump unveiled in Great Missenden

Statues of Matilda and Donald Trump are being unveiled near Great MissendenStatues of Matilda and Donald Trump are being unveiled near Great Missenden
Statues of Matilda and Donald Trump are being unveiled near Great Missenden
A statue of one of Roald Dahl's most famous characters Matilda squaring to United States president Donald Trump has been unveiled to mark the 30th anniversary of the book.

The striking effigy was sculpted after President Trump was revealed to be the person Matilda would most likely to be standing up to if she was around in 2018 .

The installations celebrating the anniversary can be seen for the next few weeks in Great Missenden, Dahl’s home for 36 years.

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Both statues are positioned in the fields outside the town’s library, which is referenced in the book where Matilda devours the classics of literature by the age of four and three months.

Bernie Hall from The Roald Dahl Story Company said: “Matilda demonstrates that it’s possible for anyone, no matter how small and powerless they feel, to defeat the Trunchbulls in their own lives - a message that feels even more relevant today than it did 30 years ago.

"What’s more, asking the public to reimagine Matilda 30 years on and finding that she could be a UN ambassador, knighted by the Queen and still using her powers of telekinesis shows just how strongly Dahl’s tiny heroine continues to resonate in our hearts and minds."

The statues of Matilda and Donald Trump are modern day interpretations by a team of artists including Drew Roper, a Birmingham based animation entrepreneur.

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As well as revealing who Matilda would be standing up to in 2018, the study found that over half of the British public think that Matilda would still have her powers of telekinesis, travelled the world and been knighted by the queen.

According to the British public, she’d also have an illustrious circle too – including friends like actress and activist Emma Watson and Duchess of Sussex and humanitarian, Meghan Markle.

In contrast, more than a quarter of the the general public imagine Miss Trunchbull would now be a prison warden, with 17 per cent saying she would be a drill sergeant.

Bruce Bogtrotter – the boy who devoured a whole cake as instructed by Miss Trunchbull – was voted likely to become a Great British Bake Off contestant, closely followed by a Michelin star chef and Masterchef presenter.

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Susie Dent, lexicographer and Matilda fan added: ‘Matilda has always been my favourite Road Dahl story.

"It's message of courage and persistence is timeless, and it’s one that my children have enjoyed as much as me.

"It’s not surprising to hear that Donald Trump has been voted the most likely successor to Miss Trunchbull – many clearly see in him some similar traits to the fictional headmistress.”

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