Victoria to have facelift for the big day
WHEN it comes to weddings, everyone wants to look their best. Especially if you've been outside for 100 years and will be yards from the Buckingham Palace "balcony kiss" of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Work has begun to return the Grade-I listed statue of Queen Victoria to its glory for the royal marriage on April 29. The six bronze statues surrounding the statue of Victoria are having their first clean and repair since it was unveiled by King George V in 1911 a decade after his grandmother died.
Hoardings have been erected around the white marble statue at the top of The Mall, but the Royal Parks Agency says they will be removed by the end of March.
A second phase of work after the wedding will see Victoria get a "nose job" - after past repairs to her face became discoloured and her nose was judged "incongruous and badly sculptured".
A missing miniature statue of St George and the Dragon will be restored to the top of the orb in her left hand.
All repairs are due to be completed in time for the Queen's diamond jubilee next June, and the Olympics when the world's TV cameras will focus on London.
