Recovered portrait of Winston Churchill set for final unveiling in Ottawa

Nearly three years after its brazen theft, The Roaring Lion — grimace and all — is finally back where it belongs on the wall of the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel in Ottawa. The iconic photo of the late former British prime minister Winston Churchill, taken by celebrated Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, has been rehung after being stolen between Christmas Day 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022.

Hotel general manager Geneviève Dumas expressed her joy at having this piece of Canadian heritage back home, calling it beautiful and emphasizing its significance. The Roaring Lion, known for symbolizing British wartime resoluteness, is considered a Canadian treasure and is featured on the Bank of England’s £5 note.

The portrait was gifted to the hotel by Karsh himself in 1998 and had been displayed in the Reading Room for years until it was stolen and replaced with a forged fake. The theft went unnoticed until August, leading to an international investigation that eventually led to the portrait being purchased by a man in Genoa, Italy. The buyer, unaware of its stolen status, willingly returned it when contacted by Canadian authorities.

The portrait has now been cleaned, reframed, and securely rehung in its original place at the hotel. The security system has been greatly enhanced to prevent any future theft attempts, with stringent measures in place to ensure its protection. A special ceremony is scheduled for Friday to officially mark the portrait’s return, with a public unveiling on Monday.

Jeffrey Wood, the man from Powassan, Ont., who was arrested in connection with the theft, awaits further legal proceedings. Ottawa police have credited public tips, forensic evidence, and international cooperation for the portrait’s recovery but have not disclosed details about how it was stolen.

Dumas remains puzzled by the circumstances of the theft, questioning how someone could have taken such a large portrait unnoticed. The mystery surrounding the theft continues to intrigue her, emphasizing the need to uncover the full story behind the crime. The rehung portrait stands as a testament to perseverance and the enduring legacy of Canadian heritage.