not known to have been involved in the design of the statue, which is attributed to Richard Westmacott. The monumental bronze statue, larger than life size, is about high. Westmacott's statue has an iron frame clad in bronze (not copper, despite its common name) which has developed a deep blue-green verdigris patina. It is mounted atop a large stone base which is a further high and measures at its base. The stone base, designed by Jeffry Wyatville, is composed of flat stones with irregular rustication. It is oriented east–west so George III turns slightly to his right and gestures with his right hand north towards Windsor Castle. Other irregular stones are scattered around the statue at top of Snow Hill. The base bears the ironic inscription in Latin: Georgio Tertio / Patri optimo / Georgius Rex, which translates as: 'To George the Third / the best of fathers / King George [IV]'. Like so many father–son relationships in the Hanoverian family, however, George III and George IV were known to have despised one another. Westmacott was formally commissioned in 1824, and the Duke of Wellington (then Master-General of the Ordnance) authorised the release of 25 tons of obsolete brass cannons to him the following year, to be melted down for the casting. Sections of metal for the statue were cast before October 1828, by which time it had already been christened the "Copper Horse". The statue is credited as a key turning point in the revival of bronze statuary in the UK. The stone base took several more years to complete, built around a tall brick core sunk into the ground. George IV laid a foundation stone on his birthday in August 1829, but the statue was not finally installed until 31 October 1831, over a year after his own death. The total cost was over £18,700 for the statue and about £10,000 for the plinth. References Statue of George III, Windsor 1860, albumen print by Roger Fenton, Royal Collection Trust George III, Equestrian Statues by Kees van Tilburg Royal Landscape: The Gardens and Parks of Windsor, Jane Roberts, Yale University Press, 1997, ISBN 0300070799, p. 269-273 Grade I listed buildings in Berkshire Grade I listed monuments and memorials Neoclassical sculptures Outdoor sculptures in England Cultural depictions of George III Buildings and structures in Windsor Great Park Equestrian statues in the United Kingdom Bronze sculptures in the United Kingdom 1831