Banksy’s use of the monkey as the Queen of England is either an extension of his monkeys rising to even higher ranks of power in human society or a derisive take on the British Monarchy.

This artwork was first featured at Chilled Out Zone, a club in central London.

In this image, Banksy replaced the iconic image of the Queen of England with a monkey face in front of a target made of the colors of the British flag. This piece had many forms and evolutions. This is Banksy’s one of many approaches to questioning the mona*rchy and English governance.

The painting hung on the wall of the club for several months before it was finally moved to the front window. It caught the eye of several supporters of the Monarchy who felt that the Queen’s likeness to the monkey portrayed on the Union Jack was disrespectful to both the Queen and the flag. The club was asked not to display the image during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

“The highest position in British society is not a reward for talent or hard work, but is simply handed out with the accident of birth… God Save The Queen.” – Banksy

*monkey in Spanish.