King Edward VII in fancy dress! Sydney

This imperial statue of the King Emperor Edward VII is on Macquarie Street in Sydney - opposite the Treasury.

This bronze equestrian statue was erected as a memorial in 1922. It was
commissioned by The King Edward Memorial Executive Committee of New South Wales, which raised £7 500 for the construction of the statue.

The Executive Committee were adamant - in the manner of the prejudices of that age - that the sculptor appointed to create the statue 'should be a man of high qualifications, it is felt necessary to go to London - the centre of Empire Art.'

They appointed Thomas Brock in 1915, who was responsible for the "wedding-cake" Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.

The completion of the statue was delayed due to World War I, but was eventually delivered in 1921.

It's current appearance is the result of the "Art and About" initiative in Sydney where the city's most important statues are have been dressed up in clothes and textiles, and here in leg warmers.