Trafalgar Square’s empty fourth plinth has been used in recent years to showcase the work of modern artists.
Marc Quinn’s nude statue of Alison Lapper pregnant and a coloured glass creation called Model for a Hotel 2007 by German artist Thomas Schutte have been two recent examples. Some people love them, others hate them.
Debate has raged for years about who would be suitable for the notorious empty space — whether military figures would send the right message for example or whether we need yet another statue of a member of the great and good.
But now comes news of a plan to create a permanent statue on the plinth, one of the Queen on horseback, which would be the only statue of her in London. It would probably be put up posthumously.
Do you think a statue of the Queen would be a good idea? And if not, who or what would you put up there?
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18 comments so far
Excellent idea
a fitting tribute to the UKs last great monarch
- Posted by Terry DoyleThe Queen deserves better than that! I think they should keep the rotating statues, and that the next one should be to the heros who don’t get statues- the innocent civilian victims of war- after all, more of them die than soldiers in the modern world.
- Posted by Dee DeeI think someone needs to do something more worthwhile than getting born before they get a statue.
- Posted by AndrewPossibly one of the best and most suitable ideas I hae heard in a long time.
God Save the Queen
- Posted by James SnellingAt last someone has thought of a more than suitable person and it has not been suggested by the PC Brigade!
God Save the Queen
- Posted by Andrew WalshThe Queen is the obvious choice, but it won’t happen so long as Labour are in government. Stalin would suit them better, with the Red Flag played at the unveiling ceremony.
- Posted by AndyHave always enjoyed the rotating plinth residents and the controversy a new resident arouses. The Queen? This woman of deep sanity, decorum and dedication deserves something special, something elegant. If she’s to be a permanent resident in Trafalgar Sq, so be it. I wouldn’t mind seeing her all the time.
- Posted by KhattHave always enjoyed the rotating plinth residents and the controversy a new resident arouses. The Queen? This woman of deep sanity, decorum and dedication deserves something special, something elegant. If she is to be a permanent resident in Trafalgar Sq, so be it. I would not mind seeing her all the time.
- Posted by KhattYes
- Posted by FredIn this age where there is little or no sanity and at a time when some Politicians are discussing whether or not to take an oath of allegience to the Queen; it is perfect timing for a statue of Her Majesty to be placed on the plinth. The Queen stands for all that is good, gracious and true in Gt. Britain - God Bless her.
- Posted by Eliza ArmstrongHer image is already everywhere - please spare me the ‘yes’ campaign for out wondrous Queen Liz!
We need someone who has achieved greatness in another sphere.
Dame Edna Everage would be my choice - complete with diamante glasses
My second choice would be one of Dame Elizabeth Frink’s superb bronze works of modern art. :-O
- Posted by The Truth Is...Lord Sutch, long overdue!
- Posted by ChinnersDefinitely she should have a prominant statute not sure the rotating plinth is good enough, think she will be the last Great Monarch sadly
- Posted by Irene McFarlaneThere could NOT be a more fitting subject for this Plinth
- Posted by Capt. G.GreenFrom this side of the pond it seems that leaving the fourth plinth empty would be a better choice, but perhaps you could place Gordon Brown inside, at the appropriate juncture, of course.
- Posted by Robert JenningsYes - let us be regaled by a plinth full of thin air!
What a refreshing thought!
Or perhaps a bronze of CO2 to signify the biggest rip-off of all time: the global warming outrage.
- Posted by The Truth Is...Yes, it has to be the Queen.
When the current age of pygmy imaginations and grubby denigration of national values is swept away by a resurgence of national pride, our children will be glad that we left them something of lasting historical significance.
- Posted by MikeLovely idea, buy why include a horse? Couldn’t she just be herself?
- Posted by Chris