Why are the Brits installing a statue of George Washington?
More than a century after it first arrived in London, a statue of George Washington is once again standing tall, newly restored and shining in Trafalgar Square. The bronze statue, a gift from the state of Virginia, was originally sent to the United Kingdom in 1914. It was meant to mark 100 years since the end of the War of 1812, a conflict that stemmed from British trade restrictions and the drafting of Americans into the British Royal Navy but finalized independence from the crown.
Delayed by war, dedicated in peace
World War I delayed its public debut, and the statue wasn’t formally unveiled until 1921. By then, the U.S. and U.K. had stood together as allies in battle, a moment historians often credit as the early foundation of the so-called “special relationship” between the two nations.
At the original ceremony, British Foreign Secretary Earl Curzon praised Washington as “one of the greatest Englishmen who ever lived.” His words reflected a shift in tone, from one-time colonies and empire to growing international partners.
A founding father returns to London
Today, the statue is more than a tribute to America’s first president. It’s seen as a symbol of shared values and lasting peace between former adversaries.
“The statue commemorates his life, his leadership and his achievement of being the first president of the United States,” said Theresa May, a member of the House of Lords, during a rededication event held Wednesday, June 18, at the National Gallery in central London.
Trafalgar Square is one of London’s most iconic public spaces, known for its monuments to British naval power and empire. It is home to statues of Admiral Horatio Nelson, King George IV and other important British figures. The square now honors a revolutionary who helped break away from that very empire.
Restoration led by architects and historians
Washington’s likeness had weathered decades of exposure in Trafalgar Square. In 2024, a Virginia-based team of architects and developers raised funds to bring the statue back to the U.S. for conservation work.
The restoration was led by the nonprofit Friends of the Washington Statue in partnership with British architects, including Norman Foster. After a month-long conservation effort, the statue was cleaned, repaired and returned to London on a new pedestal topped with a time capsule and soil from Mount Vernon. It then returned to London, just in time for a summer rededication ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.
Strained relations
The statue unveiling comes at a time when international politics have put a strain on the relationship between the United Kingdom and its former colony. In an effort to leverage trade agreements, President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on countries across the globe. On Tuesday, June 17, Trump finalized details of a trade agreement with the U.K., which included a 10% tariff on many goods. The administration’s pressuring of NATO countries to increase their defense spending has also created friction between the allies.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
