List of statues of English and British royalty in London facts for kids

This article explores the many statues of British kings and queens found across London. These statues help us remember important people from history and learn about the different royal families, or "Houses," that have ruled Britain over hundreds of years. Each statue tells a story about a monarch and the time they lived in.

Early English Kings: House of Wessex Statues

The House of Wessex was one of the earliest royal families in England. They ruled before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Alfred the Great: A Wise King's Statues

Alfred the Great was a very important king from the House of Wessex. He ruled from 871 to 899 and is famous for defending his kingdom against the Vikings. He also encouraged education and law-making.

• One statue of Alfred the Great can be found in Trinity Church Square, Southwark. It was made around 1395.
• Another statue, created in 1899 by Hamo Thornycroft, stands in The Broadway, Winchester.

Other Wessex Monarchs

While many early kings don't have statues in London, some are remembered in other ways. For example, there is a statue of Æthelbert of Wessex (who ruled from 860 to 865) that helps us remember his place in history.

Norman and Plantagenet Rulers: Statues of Medieval Kings

After the Norman Conquest, the House of Normandy and then the House of Plantagenet ruled England. These periods saw the creation of some of London's oldest royal statues.

Empress Matilda: A Powerful Woman's Statue

Empress Matilda was a powerful woman who fought to become queen of England in the 12th century. Her statue is located at the Maughan Library (King's College London), on its central tower. It was created between 1866 and 1867 by the sculptors Farmer & Brindley.

Richard I: The Lionheart's Statue

Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart, was a famous crusader king. His statue stands proudly outside the Palace of Westminster. This impressive statue was made in 1851 by Carlo Marochetti.

King John: The Magna Carta King

King John is well-known for signing the Magna Carta, a very important document that limited the power of the king. His statue is located on Egham High Street and was created in 1997 by David Parfitt.

Henry III and Edward III: Library Statues

Henry III and Edward III both have statues at the Maughan Library (King's College London), on the gateway facing Chancery Lane. These statues were made between 1891 and 1896 by Farmer & Brindley.

House of Lancaster: Henry VI Statues

The House of Lancaster ruled England during the Wars of the Roses.

Henry VI: A King Remembered in Eton

Henry VI has two notable statues. One is in the Chapel at Eton College, sculpted by John Bacon. Another, made in 1719 by Francis Bird, is in the School Yard at Eton.

House of Tudor: Famous Queens and Kings

The House of Tudor brought many changes to England, including the English Reformation.

Henry VIII: Hospital Entrance Statue

Henry VIII is famous for his six wives and for establishing the Church of England. A statue of him is located above the entrance to St Bartholomew's Hospital. It was created between 1702 and 1703 by Francis Bird.

Edward VI: Statues at St Thomas' Hospital

Edward VI was Henry VIII's only son and became king at a young age. There are two statues of him at St Thomas' Hospital.

• One was made in 1682 by Thomas Cartwright.
• Another was created in 1736 by Peter Scheemakers.

Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen's Many Statues

Elizabeth I was one of England's most famous and successful monarchs. She has several statues across London.

• One is at St Dunstan-in-the-West and was made between 1670 and 1699.
• Another is at the Royal Exchange, created in 1844 by Musgrave Watson.
• A third statue is at the Maughan Library (King's College London), on the central tower, made by Farmer & Brindley between 1866 and 1867.
• There's also a 19th-century statue at Harrow School, installed in 1925, by Richard Westmacott.

House of Stuart: Kings and Queens of a Changing Era

The House of Stuart ruled during a time of great change, including the English Civil War.

James I: Statues at Temple Bar and Old Bailey

James I was the first king to rule both England and Scotland.

• One statue of him is on the Temple Bar Gate, now in Paternoster Square, made around 1670–1672 by John Bushnell.
• Another is at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, created between 1861 and 1864 by Thomas Thornycroft.

Charles I: The Equestrian Statue

Charles I is famous for his conflict with Parliament, which led to the English Civil War. His equestrian (on horseback) statue at Charing Cross is very well-known. It was made in 1633 by Hubert Le Sueur and is the earliest English equestrian statue.

Charles II: The Merry Monarch

Charles II was restored to the throne after a period without a king. He is often called the "Merry Monarch."

• A statue of him is on the Temple Bar Gate, made around 1670–1672 by John Bushnell.
• Another stands in Soho Square, created in 1681 by Caius Gabriel Cibber.

James II: Trafalgar Square Statue

James II has a statue in Trafalgar Square. It was made in 1686 by Peter Van Dievoet, working with Grinling Gibbons.

William III: Kensington Palace and St. James's Square

William III ruled jointly with his wife, Mary II.

• A statue of him is in St. James's Square, made in 1807 by John Bacon the Younger.
• Another stands outside Kensington Palace, created in 1908 by Heinrich Baucke.

Queen Anne: Statues in Kingston and St Paul's

Queen Anne was the last Stuart monarch.

• A statue of her is at Market House, Kingston upon Thames, made in 1706 by Francis Bird.
• Another is at Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, also by Francis Bird, from around 1708.
• A statue stands outside the west front of St Paul's Cathedral, created in 1886 by Richard Claude Belt.

House of Hanover: Georgian and Victorian Statues

The House of Hanover ruled Britain from 1714, including the long reign of Queen Victoria.

George I: Bloomsbury Spire Statue

George I was the first Hanoverian king. A statue of him is at the very top of the spire of St. George's Church, Bloomsbury, made in 1730 by an unknown sculptor.

George II: Golden Square and Greenwich

George II has statues in London.

• One is in Golden Square, made in 1720 by John Nost the Elder.
• Another is at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, unveiled in 1735, by John Michael Rysbrack.

George III: Somerset House and Pall Mall

George III was king during the American Revolution.

• A statue of him is in the quadrangle at Somerset House, made in 1780 by John Bacon.
• Another is on Pall Mall, created in 1836 by Matthew Cotes Wyatt.

George IV: Trafalgar Square Statue

George IV has a statue in Trafalgar Square, made around 1829–1843 by Francis Legatt Chantrey.

William IV: Greenwich Statue

William IV has a statue in Greenwich, near the National Maritime Museum. It was unveiled in 1844 by Samuel Nixon.

Queen Victoria: Many Memorials Across London

Victoria had a very long reign and is one of Britain's most famous monarchs. Many statues of her can be found throughout London.

• A statue is at the Maughan Library (King's College London), on the central tower, made by Farmer & Brindley between 1866 and 1867.
• Another is at Temple Bar, created between 1879 and 1880 by Joseph Edgar Boehm.
• A statue is at the Royal Exchange, made by Hamo Thornycroft between 1891 and 1896.
• One stands in Kensington Gardens, outside Kensington Palace, made in 1893 by Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll with Joseph Edgar Boehm.
• A statue is on New Bridge Street, near Blackfriars Bridge, made by Charles Bell Birch between 1893 and 1896.
• Another is at Carlton House Terrace, made around 1897–1902 by Thomas Brock.
• A statue is at Croydon Town Hall, erected in 1903 by Francis John Williamson.
• At the Victoria and Albert Museum, on the entrance façade, there is a statue from around 1905–1906 by Alfred Drury.
• The grandest statue is part of the Victoria Memorial, outside Buckingham Palace, unveiled in 1911 by Thomas Brock.
• A more recent statue is in Victoria Square, made in 2007 by Catherine Laugel.

Prince Albert: The Queen's Consort

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was Queen Victoria's husband.

• A statue of him is at the Royal Exchange, made between 1845 and 1847 by John Graham Lough.
• Another is at Holborn Circus, made between 1869 and 1874 by Charles Bacon.
• A third is at the Victoria and Albert Museum, on the entrance façade, made around 1905–1906 by Alfred Drury.

House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha: Edward VII and Queen Alexandra

This royal house name was used for a short time before being changed to Windsor.

Edward VII: Statues Across the City

Edward VII was Queen Victoria's son.

• A statue of him as Prince of Wales is at Temple Bar, made between 1879 and 1880 by Joseph Edgar Boehm.
• Another is at the Victoria and Albert Museum, on the entrance façade, made in 1906 by William Goscombe John.
• A statue stands outside Tooting Broadway tube station, made in 1911 by Louis Frederick Roslyn.
• An equestrian statue is at Waterloo Place, unveiled in 1921 by Bertram Mackennal.

Queen Alexandra: Hospital Statue

Alexandra of Denmark was Queen Edward VII's wife. A statue of her is at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, made in 1908 by George Edward Wade.

House of Windsor: Modern Royal Statues

The House of Windsor is the current ruling royal family of the United Kingdom.

George V: Old Palace Yard Statue

George V was king during World War I. His statue is in Old Palace Yard, unveiled in 1947 by William Reid Dick.

George VI: The Mall Statue

George VI was king during World War II. His statue is on The Mall, made in 1954 by William McMillan.

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: A Recent Addition

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, known as the Queen Mother, was the wife of George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Her statue is also on The Mall, unveiled in 2009 by Philip Jackson.

Elizabeth II: Bexleyheath Clock Tower

Elizabeth II had the longest reign in British history. A statue of her is at the Bexleyheath Clock Tower, unveiled in 2013 by Frances Segelman.

Diana, Princess of Wales: Kensington Palace Memorial

Diana, Princess of Wales was a very popular member of the royal family. A statue of her is located at Kensington Palace, unveiled in 2021 by Ian Rank-Broadley.

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See also

• Queen Alexandra Memorial
• Queen Eleanor Memorial Cross
• Statue of Oliver Cromwell, Westminster