The White Horse of Hanover

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The White Horse of Hanover sculpture represents one of the Queen's Beasts, a group of ten heraldic statues created by renowned sculptor James Woodford for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953. The original Queen’s Beasts were produced by the Ministry of Works and featured in the coronation ceremony, but it was decided to gift them to a Commonwealth government, with Canada being offered and accepting the offer in 1959. The Beasts now stand in the Canadian Museum of History in Quebec. In 1956, James Woodford created another set of Beasts using Portland stone, which were donated to Kew Gardens. Visitors approaching the Palm House are greeted by these sculptures at the main entrance. The White Horse of Hanover was added to the Royal Arms in 1714 when George of Hanover became King of Britain, France, and Ireland, a grandson of Elizabeth Stuart, sister of Charles I. The shield displays the leopards of England, the lion of Scotland, the fleur-de-lis of France, and the Irish harp, with the fourth quarter featuring the Arms of Hanover.