Was it arrogance or respect, I wonder, that led Wellington to erect such a grand tribute to Queen Victoria? The Queen Victoria Monument, standing tall before you, is not just a statue. It’s a symbol of a bygone era, a time when the British Empire stretched across the globe. This monument, unveiled in 1905, was intended as a grand gesture of loyalty and remembrance. Wellingtonians, back then, were determined to outdo Auckland’s statue of the Queen. This statue had to be the biggest and the best.
The sculptor, Alfred Drury, depicted Victoria in her later years. She wears her widow’s cap and the heavy robes of state. In her hands, she holds the symbols of power: the orb and sceptre. Look closely at the base of the monument. You’ll see three bronze reliefs depicting scenes that capture the spirit of the Victorian age: the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the advancements in arts and sciences, and the spirit of invention that defined the era. While these reliefs are beautifully crafted, they present a romanticized view of history. The Treaty of Waitangi, for example, is shown without acknowledging the complexities and conflicts that arose afterwards.
This monument, like many others from that time, reflects a particular narrative, a narrative of imperial power and progress. Today, it stands as a reminder of a complex past, urging us to reflect on history’s nuances and the multifaceted legacy of Queen Victoria’s reign.