View of Trafalgar Square, City of Westminster, looking southwest from the junction with the Strand. Trafalgar Square was planned as part of the redevelopment of the West Strand Improvements by John Nash following the passing of the Charing Cross Act of 1826. Although it was to be another 30 years before the square was completed, it occupies the area of the former Great Mews of the Crown Stables. Charles Barry was the architect, although he opposed the decision to erect Nelson's Column on the site - he was overruled. The whole square is Grade I listed, number 1001362. At the northern end of Charing Cross (now Whitehall) is a bronze equestrian statue of Charles I in half armour. Commissioned in 1630 by Charles I's Lord Treasurer Sir Richard Weston for his house at Mortlake Park, Roehampton. Cast in 1633 by Hubert Le Sueur, the Portland Stone pedestal by Joshua Marshall was carved in 1674-5 when the statue was moved to this position. It is Grade I listed, number 1357291. Adjacent to the statue is an 1880 cast-iron lamp standard and vent with an ornate bell-shaped base decorated with griffins. Surmounted by an urn on which stand a group of three putti holding festoons and forming the base of the shaft which carries three lamps on curved, scroll-ornamented brackets. It is Grade II* listed, number 1066283. Horse-drawn carts are parked around the statue. Behind the statue is the entrance to Spring Gardens, now the eastern end of The Mall. On the right is a four-storey building occupied by W. E. Whitelock and Sons, outfitters. This building has since been demolished. On the left is Drummonds Bank, constructed in 1879 for the private bank known as Messrs Drummond, founded in 1717 by Andrew Drummond. The bank was acquired by Royal Bank of Scotland in 1924. A three-storey building with an attic storey, designed by George Aitchison. Built of Portland Stone, in a neo-Palladian style. The porch has polished granite pilasters, and balustraded parapet. It is Grade II* listed, number 1225731. On the left, at the corner of The Strand and Charing Cross, is a three-storey terrace with double attics. Number 5 Charing Cross (now number 1 Whitehall) has a shop front on the ground floor used as a Booking Office for the Midland Railway. Above the first floor is a sign for the New York Life Insurance company founded in Manhattan in 1841. It continues to trade and is one of the largest corporations in the USA. In the foreground are several men in bowler hats. On the lamp standards and bollards are newspaper hoardings with a headline announcing a Royal Wedding. This was the wedding of Princess Maud of Wales, (the fifth child of the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII), and Prince Charles of Denmark, later King Hakkon VII of Norway. The ceremony took place in the chapel of Buckingham Palace on 22nd July 1896.