First it was Margaret Thatcher. Then came Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh, and even William Shakespeare. Now, a full list of the artworks removed from 10 Downing Street has come to light—revealing a quiet but sweeping shake-up of the residence’s cultural decor under Britain’s current prime minister.
The controversy began last year when the newly appointed leader reportedly ordered a portrait of former PM Margaret Thatcher to be taken down from her old study, calling it “unsettling.” Public backlash led to the painting being re-hung in a different part of the building, but it didn’t stop there.
British PM Keir Starmer has removed 69 paintings of British royalty, Churchill and Shakespeare inside Downing Street, the official residence of the British PM.
Paintings of notable British historical figures have instead been replaced with ‘woke’ modern art reflecting… pic.twitter.com/sPMf89Uqo9
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 13, 2025
Paintings of Queen Elizabeth I, the famed explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, and literary legend William Shakespeare have also been quietly removed. In their place? A curated selection of modern pieces, signaling a stark shift in taste — and possibly, in political messaging.
The full inventory of changes has now been made public, drawing fresh criticism. Some cultural commentators see it as a snub to Britain’s past. “It’s presumably just because he can’t stand to be surrounded by British historical culture,” one outlet, Modernity News, remarked pointedly.
While No. 10 hasn’t offered an official explanation for the swap, the new art choices suggest a preference for contemporary aesthetics over historical legacy — a move that continues to raise eyebrows across the political spectrum. Whether this is a statement of modern values or just a matter of personal taste, one thing’s certain: the walls of power look very different these days.
