The statue of the victorious hero of Waterloo has been standing in approximately the same place (near the corner of Portland St) since 1856. These days it can be found just outside Kro Piccadilly. This is an impressive standard of consistency, and one can only wonder if this is a reflection of the status the Grand Duke had as a man-of-arms and a statesman.
The statue by Matthew Noble is sumptuously decorated. The Duke is surrounded by the figures of antique deities personifying Wisdom, Valour, Victory, and Peace. The pedestal plates depict the pivotal moments in Duke’s career: the Battle of Assaye, the victory of Waterloo, the Duke’s receiving the thanks at the House of Commons in 1914, and the mediating the peace resolution at the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
