This week, workmen carefully lifted the prince from his place on high, where he and his horse have stood since 1866, and prepared the statue for storage alongside ten other tributes to the great and the good.
And, just like the day it was installed, a Herald photographer was there to capture the moment.
Our staff were on hand on the day the statue was lowered onto its plinth, and captured an image which has remained in our archives ever since.
As you can see, much has changed about the way the statue was installed, with a crane deployed to gently place it on its stone base where it would remain as the decades rolled by.
The statues are being lifted from their plinths and wrapped in blankets and an opaque black plastic for their protection, before being placed on a low-loader truck and transported to storage.
The work is being carried out by Rupert Harris Conservation, which is one of Europe’s leading companies in heritage conservation, who will also restore them from any wear and tear.
The Prince Albert statue was erected after his death, and was made in tribute to his impact on the British Empire.
Created by sculptor Baron Carlo Marochetti, who died a year later, is is cast in bronze and one of seven equestrian works the Italian created in his lifetime.
The plinth bears reliefs which depict the fine arts on the left side and the industrial arts on the right.
Queen Victoria, a lady history records as not being amused by much, was suitably impressed by the likeness of her dear departed consort, and ordered a copy to be made for Windsor Gardens.
The George Square refurbishment is part of Glasgow’s Avenues programme which is aiming to make the city centre more attractive, greener and better connected.
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The statue conservation work sits alongside the main contract for George Square and its surroundings with funding from both the Scottish and UK Government.
The contract is for both the George Square works as well as creating avenue at North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place.
The works are being completed in two phases with the George Square, St Vincent Place and West George Street due to be completed in August 2026, and the rest by spring 2027.
The George Square work is to have informal play areas for children in sensory gardens, a raised lawn platform, new seating and feature lighting.
