Equestrian statue of Charles I

The equestrian statue depicts King Charles I in armor astride his horse, holding a ceremonial baton in his right hand at Charing Cross. Cast in bronze, it occupies the convergence point of The Mall, Strand, and Whitehall, functioning as a central visual landmark.

The French sculptor Hubert Le Sueur created the statue in 1633, but it vanished from public view during the English Civil War. Following the end of the conflict, it was relocated to its current site in 1675, where it has remained ever since.

The statue serves as a daily landmark for people navigating the busy intersection, silently anchoring attention amid the flow of traffic and crowds. It represents royal continuity in the city's center and frames how locals and visitors perceive this bustling junction.

The monument sits at an easy-to-reach central London location where three major roads intersect, making navigation straightforward. Visitors can view and photograph it freely at any time without requiring entry or reservations.

Every January, a memorial service occurs at the statue site where participants place wreaths honoring the deceased king. This long-standing annual tradition continues to draw people who wish to pay respects to this historical figure.

Location: City of Westminster

Inception: 1633

Architects: Christopher Wren

Creator: Hubert Le Sueur

Made from material: bronze

Part of: list of statues of British royalty in London

GPS coordinates: 51.50734,-0.12768

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:29