Memorial

The plaque is on the ground, a little behind (north of) the statue.

When Queen Eleanor's Cross was erected here the site was close to the entrance to the Royal Mews attached to Westminster Palace. The Cross was more of a gothic monument - the one in front of Charing Cross station is supposedly a reproduction of it. The Cross was here from about 1291 - 1647, when, royalty being out of favour, it was pulled down. In 1649 Charles I was beheaded on a scaffold outside the Banqueting Hall, just a short trip down Whitehall. On the last Sunday in January his death is commemorated: wreaths are laid at this statue, and prayers are said at the site of his execution. The King's Army (English Civil War Society) march in the procession dressed as 17th-century cavaliers. Many of those responsible for executing the King were hung drawn and quartered here in 1660, and in 1675 this statue of Charles I was erected. A busy little corner.

This spot serves as the centre of London for the purposes of measuring distances. (But also see Cornhill Standard.) Also, supposedly, the street numbering convention is that the low numbers in a London street should be at the end closest to this spot - a rule much observed in the breach. However, key 'London' into Google Maps and the pin is not plonked here. It lands on The Strand, just north of Waterloo Bridge, on number 355, a Starbucks. No comment. 2015 correction: Google Maps have discovered the centre of London.

The Daily Mail has a very early photo of this statue and the view down Whitehall.

2019: We learnt that when the Queen dies the Garter King of Arms and other heralds will travel from Buckingham Palace to this statue and announce the news. That will not be the only way in which the news is disseminated, obviously.