Hats off! London’s iconic statues get a 2012-inspired makeover in honour of the Olympics
By Tom Goodenough
After Friday's stunning opening ceremony and an exciting weekend of sport, even the most hard-hearted can't help but catch Olympics fever.
And with statutes around London now sporting decorative headwear in honour of the Games, it seems even being made of stone is no excuse not to celebrate.
The statue of Admiral Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square, which now has an Olympic Torch and decorative Union Jack in place of its usual head attire, is part of the 'Hatwalk' event bringing together the finest of British millinery on some of the capital's most iconic statues.
Admiral Lord Nelson's makeover is part of a London-wide celebration in honour of the 2012 Olympic Games
Some of Trafalgar Square's other famous residents including King George IV (pictured) have joined Lord Nelson in having a makeover
Sir Henry Havelock's shiny hat reflects the new headwear of other Trafalgar Square residents
Statues across London have been given the new headwear as part of the Hatwalk festival
Boris Johnson said he couldn't think of a better way to celebrate British hat-making than 'dressing our most noble of statues'
Twenty of the capital's major icons, including Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill have received a millinery makeover in honour of the Olympics
Wartime leaders Franklin Roosevelt's and Winston Churchill's statues in Bond Street have also benefited from an Olympics-inspired makeover
The Duke of Wellington's statue at Wellington Arch wears a new hat designed by Flora McKean as part of the 'Hatwalk' festival
The Hatwalk festival has been launched as part of the 'Mayor of London Presents' season during the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad
The horse of King George IV, which stands proudly in Trafalgar Square, also received some opulent headwear as part of the Hatwalk festival
Some of London's most iconic monuments, including Beau Brummel's statue on Jermyn Street now boast bespoke head wear
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad has seen a host of different and unusual events going on around the capital
The eye-catching display across the capital has been curated by Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy
A crane was used in a midnight operation to put Lord Nelson's new headwear into place
Admiral Lord Nelson's new hat is the statue's first makeover in 200 years
