Charles I Equestrian at Trafalgar Square, London

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The equestrian statue of Charles I in Charing Cross, London, was crafted by the skilled French sculptor Hubert Le Sueur, likely cast in 1633. Situated at Charing Cross, this iconic landmark occupies the site where Edward I erected one of his elaborate Eleanor crosses, which stood for three and a half centuries until its removal in 1647. The statue also serves as the official centre of London, marking the point from which many distances to and from the city are measured. It gazes down Whitehall towards Charles I's place of execution at Banqueting House. As the first Renaissance-style equestrian statue in England, it was commissioned by Charles's Lord High Treasurer Richard Weston for his country house in Roehampton, Surrey (now part of South London). After the English Civil War, the statue was sold to a metalsmith who broke it down, but cleverly hid it until the Restoration. It was finally installed in its current prominent location at the heart of London in 1675, with an elaborately carved plinth dating from that time. The statue depicts Charles I of England on horseback, clad in a demi-suit of armour without a helmet. A scarf tied into a bow adorns his right shoulder, while he holds a baton in his right hand and the reins of the horse in his left. This remarkable object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory that creates a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the world for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.