What is recorded here
The Holborn Circus monument shows Prince Albert on horseback, lifting his hat. Charles Bacon made the bronze, unveiled in 1874 from a gift by Charles Oppenheim. Figures of Peace and History and reliefs of Albert's public work surround the pedestal. Road changes eventually moved the monument from the busy centre of the junction to its western side.
Why it was made
Merchant Charles Oppenheim gave the City of London the monument to commemorate Prince Albert's public work and his marriage to Queen Victoria.
People and events
Charles Bacon designed the equestrian bronze and its detailed pedestal; it was unveiled at Holborn Circus in 1874.
How it worked
Albert's raised hat makes him seem to greet the street, while figures and reliefs below turn his interests into a public moral account.
What remains
The bronze horse and rider, stone pedestal, seated figures and relief panels survive, moved from the junction's centre to the west side in 2014.
Why it mattered
It was the City corporation's official Albert memorial, and its later move shows the pressure between historic street monuments and modern traffic.
Sources for this account
- OpenStreetMap contributors, saved Prince Albert record
- Historic England Archive, Prince Albert statue photograph and description
- London Remembers, Prince Albert at Holborn Circus
Sources checked 16 August 2026.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) n1816038205
Places near here
Photo credits
- N Chadwick, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Mike Quinn, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Basher Eyre, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Christine Matthews, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Ian S, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Martin Addison, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- John Salmon, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Tbmurray, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
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