The curious case of King Charles and the Statue of Hercules

[ShenandoahRiver]

A fascinating read..

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/monarchy/71444/curious-case-of-king-charles-and-the-statue

We're all so busy looking at Andrew.
I wonder what else the Royals are up to whilst we're being distracted.

What the RF have forgotten is once they do become a smaller unit then it's going to be harder to deflect criticism.

Perhaps KC could pay for a replacement for Kew or just swap with a statue he's not so keen on.

The last paragraph sums it up perfectly.

The King can take what he wants. In 1840 Kew Gardens, originally in the ownership of the Crown, were handed over to the public in a remarkable act of philanthropy. The reclaiming of the statue of Hercules is an act of reverse philanthropy. It’s tiny enough in the grand scheme of things, but small gestures sometimes carry larger symbolism.
For the few, not the many.

I’d like to hear the other side of the story. The article is extremely one-sided, and not entirely accurate - for eg it states that the Royal Collection is “notorious for its unwillingness to lend works”. I have worked in the museum sector and have overseen multiple loans from the RC with no obvious difference to other art institutions.
The reported speech about the Kew director’s reaction also seems a bit tenuous.
As I understand it, they have called back a long term loan, to return the statue to its original location, which seems a fairly reasonable reason. I do agree with the PP that discussions could have been had about a possible replacement (do we know they definitely haven’t?), but comparisons with Prince Andrew’s revolting behaviour seem quite a stretch??

but comparisons with Prince Andrew’s revolting behaviour seem quite a stretch??
They are not comparing it with Andrew's behaviour - simply pointing out the mounting public disquiet over his privileges.

The statue is owned by the Royal collection and was only loaned to Kew in 1963.

Odd timing coming as it does while there's so much bad publicity swirling around already but IIRC the royals have appropriated RC works for private use in the past.

I think there are further details in the Guardian series 'The Cost Of The Crown' which is quite an eye-opening read in any case