Faith, Hope, Love

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This massive bronze monument is actually the Queen Alexandra Memorial situated within Saint James's Park. Its creator, renowned artist Sir Alfred Gilbert, had initially been tasked with crafting a tomb for the Duke of Clarence inside Windsor Castle but ultimately failed to do so and faced severe repercussions including exile from Britain in 1901. Notably, Queen Alexandra (the Duke's mother at the time) was the sole family member who showed support for him afterward; remarkably, she even expressed her desire to have him create a memorial piece for her much later on, during her older age. Gilbert eventually returned home and completed his original commission before being offered another opportunity to create this sculpture, which he did approximately one year after the Queen's passing. The "Central Group" of figures personifies the theme "Love Enthroned," supported by Faith and Hope on either side, with Love directing a young boy sent out across the "River of Life." This river originates from beneath Her Throne, symbolizing Queen Alexandra's philanthropy towards children as well as her own arrival in Great Britain from overseas.