Admiralty Arch

Admiralty Arch

Admiralty Arch is a monumental building in London, United Kingdom, constructed in 1912. Located in the heart of Westminster, London, it connects Trafalgar Square with The Mall, the ceremonial road leading up to Buckingham Palace. It is named after the former Admiralty headquarters (the "Admiralty Building") and is also known as the Admiralty Arch. The arch stands at the southwestern corner of Trafalgar Square and the northeastern end of The Mall.

Although called an arch, the structure is actually a building. Before 2012, government offices such as the Cabinet Office and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit were housed within it. The arch has four stories on either side, while the central section features five archways at the bottom—three for vehicles and two for pedestrians—and one upper level. Admiralty Arch was commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria. A Latin inscription above the central arch reads: “In the tenth year of King Edward VII, to Queen Victoria, from a grateful nation, 1910.”

The arch typically flies the Union Jack, but on significant ceremonial occasions—as a former Admiralty building—it displays the White Ensign naval flag. Admiralty Arch serves as the official ceremonial gateway from Trafalgar Square to The Mall, itself the ceremonial route to Buckingham Palace. As such, royal processions during major events such as weddings, funerals, and coronations—as well as other important celebrations like those following the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics—have passed beneath this arch.

In 2012, as part of government austerity measures, Admiralty Arch was leased to Spanish property developer Rafael Serrano for 125 years, with plans to convert it into a luxury hotel.

Admiralty Arch

Why Go: One of the UK’s Most Important Ceremonial Landmarks

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Britain

Province/State: Greater London

City: London