FAMOUS ROYAL MEMORIALS

Some of London’s best-known monuments were built to commemorate the lives of famous kings and queens.

The range of designs and forms is striking. From elaborate high-Victorian monuments to abstract fountains, the memorials reflect the ages which created them as much as the historical figures they represent.

Charles I statue, Trafalgar Square
The oldest statue in Trafalgar Square shows King Charles I (1600-1649) on horseback. Carved in 1638 by Hubert Le Sueur, it is the first statue of an English king on horseback, and was designed to make the small monarch look more imposing.

Hidden during the Civil War, the statue was re-erected on the site of the original Charing Cross. Today the statue has an unexpected additional role: it marks the spot from which all ‘distances from London’ are measured.

George IV, Trafalgar Square
An enormous statue of George IV (1762-1830) riding bareback and dressed as a Roman occupies one of four plinths in Trafalgar Square. It was originally designed by Sir Frances Chantrey to go on top of a ceremonial arch in front of Buckingham Palace.

After George IV’s death in 1830, it was decided that the statue would be placed temporarily on the east plinth in Trafalgar Square, where it has been ever since. Towards the end of the 19th century an inscription – George IV – was added, as by this time nobody knew whom the statue was supposed to represent.

Queen Victoria memorial, Buckingham Palace
The famous white ‘wedding cake’ monument in front of Buckingham Palace commemorates Queen Victoria (1819-1901). It was designed by Sir Aston Webb. Work began in July 1903 and the final memorial was unveiled in 1911 by King George V in the presence of the German Emperor Wilhelm II. It stands almost 25m high and is made of Carrara marble, bronze and granite. This is the largest monument to a monarch in England.

Prince Albert memorial, Kensington Gardens
Queen Victoria’s beloved husband died of typhoid fever at the age of 42. His life is marked by an elaborate memorial in Kensington Gardens. Parliament voted £50,000 towards the cost of the monument and subscriptions were collected from all over the country.

Designed by George Gilbert Scott, the 53m-high structure celebrates Victorian achievement and Prince Albert’s interests. Marble figures representing four continents stand at each corner, and higher up are further figures representing manufacture, commerce, agriculture and engineering. Near the top are gilded bronze statues of the angels and virtues, while at the base a frieze reflects Albert’s enthusiasm for the arts.

Floodlit at night, it is a remarkable sight and one of the grandest high-Victorian Gothic monuments ever created.

King George VI, The Mall
A memorial to King George VI was created in 1955 on the north side of The Mall in London between Marlborough Road and Admiralty Arch. Designed by Scottish sculptor William McMillan, it features a relatively simple statue of the king dressed in naval uniform, standing on a plinth of Portland stone.

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park
This unique memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales is the most modern and abstract of all Royal memorials. Designed by US architect Kathryn Gustafson, the granite water feature reflects the Princess’s life, and her qualities of openness and inclusiveness.

Water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. Three bridges allow the water to be crossed. The memorial was opened by The Queen on 6 July 2004.