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Prince Philip in London in 2017
Photo: WPA / Getty Images
A four-meter-high bronze sculpture has been standing in Cambridge, UK, for around ten years and is intended to commemorate Prince Philip (who died in 2021). The statue shows an abstract figure with a mortarboard in flowing robes; on a plaque beneath the sculpture you can read a dedication to the long-time prince consort, who was Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1977 to 2011. The figure shows no facial features, instead it appears as if the face is covered by fabric. The statue looks like a mannequin dressing up as Dementor (the demon from Harry Potter).
There has been some harsh criticism of the sculpture for years. “No one, apart from the wealthy developer who commissioned it, seems to have a good word to say about it,” writes Katie Thornburrow, councilor for planning, building control and infrastructure, in her blog . Critics have described the statue as “kitsch” or “garbage masquerading as public art.”
The statue is now being dismantled, British media report.
On March 5, the Cambridge Planning Board issued a notice requiring the figure to be removed within four months, with an appeal possible. According to the Guardian, the statue was built without planning permission and had a “detrimental impact” on the appearance of the area.
The work of art was installed on the company premises in 2014 following an application from a real estate company, although no permission was available. The statue entitled “The Don” is said to have cost around 150,000 pounds (just under 175,000 euros). The Uruguayan sculptor Pablo Atchugarry was named as the creator, but he subsequently denied being responsible for the sculpture. Shortly after its construction, the then head of the public art department described the statue as “possibly the worst quality work ever presented to the city council.”
The real estate company's chairman, Bill Gredley, has already signaled that he is ready to remove the statue. The work of art is “not for everyone,” he admitted in the Times. However, he also knows people who like the statue. "We will take the sculpture away and put it somewhere else where it will be appreciated."
Prince Philip died in 2021 at the age of 99. The Duke of Edinburgh, his official title, was married to Queen Elizabeth since 1947. He had been Prince Consort since her coronation in 1953 and was considered the Queen's most important support. He only retired at the age of 96. The father of four was the longest-serving prince consort in British history. In addition to today's King Charles III. Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward are also among the couple's children.
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