A statue of a man holding a flag covering his face, and signed ‘Banksy’, which has appeared in Waterloo Place in London, Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Kin Cheung/AP
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Kin Cheung/AP
A statue that appeared suddenly in central London on a Wednesday morning has been confirmed as a creation by the elusive and often politically charged artist Banksy.
The sculpture portrays a man in a suit holding a large flag. The flag’s fabric obscures his face, and as he confidently steps off the pedestal, he risks falling due to the lack of ground beneath him.
The unveiling of this statue coincided with King Charles III’s state visit to Washington, D.C., New York City, and Virginia. During the visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla were honored by President Trump at a state dinner, and the king addressed Congress, emphasizing the significance of NATO.
Banksy’s signature at the base of the statue confirmed its authenticity. Overnight on Wednesday, the installation was put in place, and by Thursday, Banksy had shared a video on his Instagram account, further confirming the artwork’s origin. The video, accompanied by British composer Edward Elgar’s 1901 composition Pomp and Circumstance March No.1, concludes with a passerby expressing his dislike for the piece.
The statue stands in Waterloo Place, close to statues of King Edward VII and Florence Nightingale. There is uncertainty about whether Banksy obtained official permission for the installation. A representative for the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, stated in an email to The New York Times: “Banksy has a great ability to inspire people from a range of backgrounds to enjoy modern art. His work always draws great interest and debate, and the mayor is hopeful that his latest piece can be preserved for Londoners and visitors to enjoy.”
On Friday, the Westminster City Council issued a statement, shared with the Associated Press, indicating that they do not intend to remove the statue. They stated: “We welcome Banksy’s latest sculpture in Westminster, which makes a striking addition to the city’s vibrant public art scene. While we have taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view and enjoy.”
Last September, the Royal Courts Service in London removed a newly created Banksy mural just two days after it appeared on one of its complex walls. The mural depicted a judge in a wig attacking a protester with a gavel.
In March, Reuters published an investigation identifying Banksy as the British artist Robin Gunningham, a claim initially made by The Mail on Sunday in 2008. Neither Banksy nor his representatives have confirmed or denied the Reuters report.
