Giant crown to be installed outside Buckingham Palace – here’s what it will look like
A giant sculpture of a bejewelled crown is due to go on display outside Buckingham Palace as part of a celebration of London’s heritage.
The multi-coloured installation’s scale befits its intended home just a gemstone’s throw from the official residence of the UK’s royal family.
Artistic impressions show the sculpture standing 1.74m tall and 2.44m wide — just below the height of a man depicted in the images.
The organisers behind a heritage trail encompassing the temporary artwork have needed to seek planning permission from Westminster Council for the go-ahead to plant it in St James’s Park, just off The Mall.
Made of fibreglass with a black plywood plinth, the sculpture will be hand-painted by a chosen local artist, according to the application by creative agency We Are Placemaking.
A summer unveiling will ensure there is no shortage of visitors to take in the tribute to the landmark, where King Charles III appeared on the balcony wearing the Imperial State Crown after his coronation in May 2023.
Other symbolic works in the trail include a top hat, tea cup, phone box, King’s Guard, taxi and rain boots in iconic locations around central London.
Organised by the Victoria, Victoria Westminster, Northbank and Whitehall Business Improvement Districts as part of the London Heritage Quarter event, the trail is due to launch on June 15.
An overview for the event reads: ‘London Heritage Quarter is planning a summer of activity which will celebrate the area’s history, culture and community, while commemorating anniversaries such as the National Gallery’s 200-year anniversary.
‘Our plans aim to benefit local businesses and residents and the wider community, while also attracting national and international audiences.
‘Our heritage summer will include a trail spanning from Victoria to Strand, passing through Westminster and Whitehall, running from June 15 to August 4.
‘The trail will comprise 10 London-themed sculptures including a postbox, London bus, taxi, phone box, guard and more.
‘They’ll each be painted by artists from London art agency Artiq who encourage equal pay for their artists and whose aim it is to give artists a wider platform and better deal by placing contemporary work in settings outside galleries.
‘Every sculpture will link to augmented reality, unveiling archive imagery of the evolution of nearby landmarks and the surrounding area.
‘We are working with Westminster City Archives and local charity, Thorney Island Society, to source these materials.
‘The augmented reality element will provide an educational experience for those interacting with the trail.’
The plans can be revealed amid a campaign to install a statue of Queen Elizabeth II on the ‘Fourth Plinth’ by Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square.
A petition in support of a permanent memorial on the raised platform — currently being used to display temporary works — has attracted more than 54,000 signatures to date.
Susan Hall, who is running as the Conservative candidate for the May 2 London mayoral election, is in favour of the move, while an online Change.org campaign has attracted more than 54,000 signatures.
During the coronation, a number of sculptures were made to mark the accession, including a unicorn made of waste and recycled materials and a life-size bust of the king made out of 17 litres of melted chocolate.
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