Statue Of King George III Editorial Photo

George III by Matthew Cotes Wyatt (1777-1862). 1836. Bronze on a 12'-high Portland stone base. George III was the first of England's monarchs to be commemorated in this way by public subscription, rather than by private gift (Blackwood 48). The monument was originally intended to be much more splendid, depicting the king in a triumphal chariot drawn by four horses, but subscriptions proved inadequate. It was also intended for a different location — Waterloo Place, where it would have been much easier to appreciate, away from the traffic and the traffic lights that compete with it on this busy junction. But there was a different problem here. An item in Gentleman's Magazine explains that since the Duke of York (George III's second son, who died in 1827) was already commemorated at the front on a column there, this would have meant his back was turned on his father (see Statue of King George III). An alternative position was therefore found. Cockspur Street is nearby, at the east end of Pall Mall.