Weymouth’s George III statue to regain missing sceptre after 60 years
Weymouth’s King George III statue is finally getting its sceptre back more than 50 years after it mysteriously vanished
A prominent Weymouth landmark is set to be restored to its former glory, with the replacement of a sceptre lost more than half a century ago.
Weymouth’s King George III statue is finally getting its sceptre back more than 50 years after it mysteriously vanished.
The Grade I-listed statue, which has stood proudly on the Esplanade since 1809, will soon once again hold a five-foot rod topped with a cross - completing a feature missing since the 1960s.
Dorset Council, which has commissioned the replica, describes the work as a way to “enhance the experience for locals and visitors” and to “complete” the seafront statue.
The sceptre vanished under mysterious circumstances, with trophy hunters suspected of taking it.
Over the years, other parts of the monument - including the horn of the unicorn - were also targeted, prompting the installation of a protective fence.
The statue, erected to mark the anniversary of George III’s rise to the throne, commemorates the monarch’s frequent visits to Weymouth which he made famous by coming to bathe in the sea for his health.
The new sceptre, made of hardwood and coated in gold leaf, will be securely fixed to the monarch’s right hand.
Weymouth Civic Society’s Graham Perry welcomed the move, noting the long effort to have the missing feature reinstated.
Historic photographs from 1964 have been used to guide the design, with Dorset Council stating the restoration will help the statue look “complete”, as the current bare hand “is a little ‘lost’.”
No additional refurbishment is planned, with the last major work carried out in 2019.
The statue remains one of Weymouth’s most recognised historic features, drawing visitors with its vivid colours and royal legacy.