Banksy's Latest London Drop: A Flag-Waving Man Marching Off a Cliff

Just when you thought London's statues were all about historical figures looking sternly into the middle distance, a new one popped up. Overnight, a mysterious figure appeared in Waterloo Place, and because the universe loves a good reveal, Banksy has officially confirmed it's his handiwork.

The statue itself is peak Banksy: a suited man, flag held high, seemingly marching with purpose. Except that flag completely obscures his face, and he's stepping off a ledge into thin air. Because, apparently, that's where we are now.

The artist's signature was right there on the base, but for anyone still wondering, a video dropped on Banksy's Instagram. It featured the statue, set to Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance (the very tune from King Edward VII's coronation, no less). The clip ends with someone rather charmingly declaring, "I don't like it."

It now stands among other, more traditionally grounded, statues of historical heavyweights like King Edward VII and Florence Nightingale. Bet they're thrilled with the new neighbor.

So, did Banksy get permission for this impromptu art installation? Unclear. London Mayor Sadiq Khan's office, however, seems to be leaning into it, calling Banksy an inspiration and hoping the piece sticks around. Westminster City Council, perhaps wary of past PR fiascos involving public art, has already declared they won't remove it. In fact, they've taken steps to protect what they're calling a "striking addition." Probably a good idea, given Banksy's track record.

Speaking of which, last September saw a Banksy mural — depicting a judge attacking a protester with a gavel — get removed from a London wall. And earlier this year, Reuters, like The Mail on Sunday in 2008, decided to out Robin Gunningham as the man behind the myth. Banksy, naturally, has neither confirmed nor denied. Because why ruin a perfectly good mystery?