Duke of York Column, Victory column in Westminster, England
The Duke of York Column is a granite monument on Waterloo Place topped with a bronze statue of Prince Frederick. The structure connects Carlton House Terrace to The Mall via the Duke of York Steps and overlooks St James's Park.
The monument was built after Prince Frederick, Duke of York, died in 1827, funded by British soldiers who each contributed one day's wages. This unusual funding method showed the military's deep connection to the late prince.
The monument forms part of London's collection of royal memorials and shows how the military shaped the city's public spaces. Visitors can see it as a symbol of how royal figures are remembered and honored throughout the capital.
The site is easily reached via the Duke of York Steps, which descend from Carlton House Terrace to The Mall. The area is well-maintained and open to the public, with clear sightlines from multiple viewing points around the monument.
Inside the monument runs a spiral staircase of 168 steps that once led to a viewing platform at the base of the statue. This hidden passage is no longer open to visitors but remains a fascinating detail of how the structure was built.
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