Tucked into the western corner of the park that bears his name, near the lush entrance of the Estufa Fria, the bronze bust of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom stands as a materialised anchor of Portugal’s oldest international alliance.

The history behind this royal monument is remarkable. The vast park was originally inaugurated in the late 19th century as Parque da Liberdade.

However, following a historic state visit by the British monarch to Lisbon in 1902, the city permanently renamed the grand green space in 1903 to honour the king and reaffirm the deep, centuries-old Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. One of the oldest in history.

The placement of his bust next to the Estufa Fria is no mere coincidence either. It overlooks a peaceful, scenic lake that leads directly into the botanical sanctuary and therefore continuously looking at peace in the park named after him in the country so allied to his.