The British royal family has always been a prime target for punk artists, and Banksy is no exception. On the contrary, he enthusiastically inherits that tradition from the 1980s, ridiculing the icons of power in his own way. One of his most famous works in this vein is Queen Vic, a provocation so effective that pop star Christina Aguilera purchased it for over twenty thousand pounds.
In this piece, we see Queen Victoria engaged in a sexual act with another woman, in a fairly explicit pose known in slang as “queening.” A sharp play on words, but by no means accidental: Banksy targets the queen’s rigid moral outlook, reminding viewers that she firmly believed women could not be homosexual. The queen also supported laws against homosexuality, in line with her ultra-conservative approach.
The stencil features classic royal symbols such as the crown and scepter, paired with far bolder elements like leather boots, heels, and garters. The queen’s companion, meanwhile, wears provocative clothing and assumes a completely submissive pose. All of this is set against a vivid red background, evoking both royalty and erotic passion. The message is clear and direct: Banksy has taken one of the most rigid and moralistic figures in British history and transformed her into a queer icon.
