Statue of Winston Churchill, Parliament Square facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Winston Churchill
The statue in 2014
Artist	Ivor Roberts-Jones
Year	1973; 52 years ago (1973)
Type	Bronze sculpture
Subject	Winston Churchill
Location	London, SW1 United Kingdom

The statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, London, is a large bronze sculpture of Winston Churchill. He was a very important British prime minister during World War II. The famous artist Ivor Roberts-Jones created this statue.

Churchill himself once pointed to the spot where the statue now stands. He said that's "where my statue will go." His wife, Clementine, Baroness Spencer-Churchill, officially revealed the statue in 1973. Many important people were there, including the Queen, the Prime Minister, and four former Prime Ministers.

This statue is one of twelve statues in or near Parliament Square. Most of these statues honor famous leaders.

What Does the Statue Look Like?

The statue is about 12 feet (3.7 m) tall. It is made from bronze. Ivor Roberts-Jones sculpted it. You can find it on the main green area of Parliament Square. It stands right across from the Palace of Westminster.

The statue shows Winston Churchill standing. His hand rests on his walking stick. He wears a military greatcoat. His pose is based on a famous photograph. In that picture, Churchill was looking at the House of Commons. It had been damaged by bombs in May 1941.

The base of the statue is 8 feet (2.4 m) high. The name "Churchill" is carved on it in big letters.

How the Statue Was Designed

When the statue was being made, there were some concerns. The Churchill Statue Committee worried it looked "a little too much" like Benito Mussolini. He was the leader of Italy's Fascist Party.

A report said the plaster head looked like Churchill. But it wasn't quite right for him at the peak of his career. The report mentioned the cheeks, eyes, forehead, and top of the head needed work. It even said that above the eyes, it looked like Mussolini. The artist, Roberts-Jones, agreed to change the sculpture. He made the top of the head less rounded and lowered the forehead.

The History of Churchill's Statue

The statue overlooks the Houses of Parliament

In the 1950s, David Eccles showed Churchill plans for Parliament Square. Churchill drew a circle on the map. He said, "That is where my statue will go."

Later, in 1968, a Member of Parliament named John Tilney suggested the statue. People started raising money for it. They thought it would cost about £30,000. Many important people helped with the fundraising. These included Edward Heath and Lord Mountbatten.

About 4,500 people donated money. They raised £32,000 in total. Their names are in a book. This book is kept at Churchill's former home, Chartwell. The statue was made by the Meridian Foundry in London.

Unveiling the Statue

The statue was officially revealed on November 1, 1973. Clementine, Baroness Spencer-Churchill, Churchill's widow, did the honors. Queen Elizabeth II attended the ceremony. She gave a speech. She mentioned that Churchill had turned down a special title. He wanted to stay in the House of Commons instead.

Large Union Flags covered the statue. They were removed when a cord was pulled. Many important people were there. This included The Queen Mother and members of the Churchill family. The Prime Minister, Edward Heath, and four former Prime Ministers also attended. The Band of the Royal Marines played some of Churchill's favorite songs.

In 2008, the statue was given a special status. It became a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical structure.

The statue was also featured in a film. This film was shown at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Protests and the Statue

The statue has sometimes been marked during protests in Parliament Square. In 2000, during a May Day protest, red paint was sprayed on it. It looked like blood. Also, some grass was placed on its head. This made it look like a mohican.

In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, people sprayed graffiti on the statue. It was temporarily covered up to protect it. This led to discussions across the country. People debated whether statues of historical figures should remain on public display.

Other Churchill Statues

You can find other statues like the one in Parliament Square in different parts of the world.

A copy of the London statue was revealed in 1999. It is in Winston Churchill Square in Prague, Czech Republic. It stands outside the University of Economics. This statue was made from a mold of the original.

Another copy, made of fiberglass, is in Canberra, Australia. It is on the Australian National University campus. It was brought to Australia in 1975.

There are also other statues of Churchill by Ivor Roberts-Jones. One is in Oslo, Norway. Another is in New Orleans, USA. Like the London statue, the ones in Prague, Oslo, and New Orleans were all made in London.

See also

In Spanish: Estatua de Winston Churchill (Parliament Square) para niños