Queen Victoria will host a pop concert!

Queen Elizabeth II’s great grandmother will be in the centre of a concert on Monday 4 June 2012 to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee! The concert, starring an amazing line up of talent including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Joold Holland, Alfie Boe, Annie Lennox, JLS and lots more, will be staged in front of Buckingham Place on a specially constructed stage around the Victoria Memorial.  Work is almost finished at the Palace for the fast approaching Jubilee weekend in a few days time.

The monument to Queen Victoria, the only other monarch to celebrate 60 years on the throne, was made by the sculptor Sir Thomas Brock out of gleaming white marble and stands 25 metres high in the middle of the road outside the palace.  The surround was designed by architect Sir Aston Webb and was dedicated by George V in 1911 with the fine figure of Queen Victoria facing out towards the Mall. Looking out from all points are the patinated bronze statues of the Angels of Truth, Justice and Charity, topped with a gilded pinnacle which most likely represents peace and victory.

Reference has been made to Britain’s position as a major naval power at the time, with statues of mermaids and sea creatures/  Groups of bronze statues, representing Peace and Progress and Industry and Agriculture, sit along the enclosing wall and by the steps leading down to ground level are imposing sets of lions, one of which was a gift from the people of New Zealand.  
I can't wait until Monday when we see this familiar site transformed into a venue for a pop concert!