Statue of Charles II, Royal statue in Soho Square, London, England
The Statue of Charles II is a stone carving in the northern section of Soho Square Gardens showing the king in armor and a flowing cloak, with his left hand resting on his hip and his gaze directed to one side. The carved figure stands on a pedestal in the open garden setting, where it remains visible year-round as a focal point among the planted areas and walkways.
The sculpture was created by Danish artist Caius Gabriel Cibber in 1681 as part of an elaborate fountain installation with water features and symbolic river carvings below the royal figure. It was removed from its original location in 1875 and spent decades away before being returned to the garden through a private donation in 1938.
The statue shows King Charles II in the public gardens where locals and visitors pass by daily, serving as a physical reminder of the space's royal connections. You can see how the figure has become part of the everyday landscape, marking this corner of London as a place with layers of meaning.
The sculpture is positioned in the northern section of the garden and can be easily viewed during daytime visits when the gardens are open to the public. The location near Tottenham Court Road station makes it convenient to reach, and the open garden setting allows for unobstructed viewing from multiple angles around the garden paths.
The sculpture spent many years at a private estate called Grim's Dyke after its removal in the 1800s, following an unusual path before returning to public view. This long absence makes its restoration to Soho Square a noteworthy moment in the monument's journey through time.
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