Behold the Queen Victoria Memorial. This magnificent monument dominates the end of The Mall. It’s a breathtaking sight. A testament to a remarkable reign.
The Victoria Memorial wasn’t built overnight. King Edward VII proposed a memorial after his mother’s death in 1901. A parliamentary committee was formed. The decision to place the memorial on The Mall was made in 1901. The construction however wasn’t finalized until 1924. The government refused funding. So money was raised across the British Empire and from the public. Australia and New Zealand made significant contributions.
Sir Thomas Brock designed the memorial. It’s a stunning example of Edwardian Baroque style. The central pylon is Pentelic marble. The statues are Lasa marble and gilt bronze. The memorial weighs a colossal 2300 tonnes. It stands 25 meters tall. That makes it the tallest monument to a British monarch in England.
At the top stands a gilded bronze Winged Victory. Below her are Constancy and Courage. Four bronze figures at the corners represent Peace Progress Agriculture and Manufacture. New Zealand’s contribution is even inscribed on the self-bases of the Manufacture and Agriculture statues. The Queen herself is depicted enthroned facing The Mall. Motherhood Justice and Truth surround her. Brock said the memorial represented the qualities that made Victoria so great and beloved.
The Queen Victoria Memorial has witnessed countless events. It served as a stage for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012. It’s been a finish line for marathons. The memorial has even been targeted by protesters. It’s a living monument to history. A stunning centerpiece that continues to shape the London landscape. It silently tells the story of an empire and a queen. A story of ambition loss and enduring legacy.