Statue of the Earl Mountbatten

The Statue of the Earl Mountbatten is a bronze memorial to Admiral of the Fleet Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, standing in the heart of government London in the City of Westminster. It is a quiet stop for anyone walking between Whitehall, Downing Street and St James's Park.

Where is the statue?

The figure stands on Mountbatten Green, a small open patch of grass off Horse Guards Road in Whitehall. The green sits on the north side of the junction of Downing Street and Horse Guards Road, and the statue looks north across Horse Guards Parade. The area was previously known as Foreign Office Green and later took the name of the man it commemorates. Because the setting is among government buildings, it is best to treat the statue as something you admire from the pavement; access to the green itself has been restricted in recent years.

Who made it and when was it unveiled?

The sculptor was Franta Belsky, a Czech-born British artist who made a number of well-known public portraits in Britain. The work was cast by the Meridian Bronze Foundry. The memorial was unveiled on 2 November 1983. The funds, about 100,000 pounds, were raised by public subscription, and the site was chosen by Queen Elizabeth II after the project was discussed by the government in 1982.

What does the statue show?

Mountbatten is portrayed standing in his admiral's uniform, wearing his decorations, including the Order of the Garter and the Order of Merit, and holding binoculars in his right hand. The pose and the instrument underline his naval career. Published sources give slightly different heights for the figure, so do not rely on a single number; in person it reads as a clearly larger-than-life, formal portrait.

Who was Earl Mountbatten?

Louis Mountbatten was a senior Royal Navy officer and a member of the extended British royal family. He served as the last Viceroy of India in 1947 and oversaw the transition to independence, after which he became the first Governor-General of independent India. Later he rose to the top naval post as First Sea Lord and then served as Chief of the Defence Staff. He was killed in 1979 in an attack by the IRA off the coast of Ireland, which is why a memorial in the centre of the capital was commissioned only a few years later.

Tips for visitors

• Combine the visit with Horse Guards Parade, Downing Street (the gates are visible from the street) and St James's Park, all within a few minutes on foot.
• The statue is a short walk from Westminster and Charing Cross stations.
• Light is best on a clear morning, when the bronze is not in shadow from the surrounding trees and buildings.
• Allow only five to ten minutes for the statue itself; it works best as part of a wider walk through royal and political London.

Frequently asked questions

Who sculpted the Earl Mountbatten statue? Franta Belsky, with casting by the Meridian Bronze Foundry.

When was it unveiled? On 2 November 1983.

Can I walk up to the statue? It is visible from the surrounding streets. Access to Mountbatten Green has been limited, so plan to view it from outside.

How was it paid for? By public subscription, raising roughly 100,000 pounds.

What is Mountbatten holding? Binoculars in his right hand, a nod to his naval service.