The statue of Queen Victoria located in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast was vandalized with red paint, an act claimed by the Republican group Lasair Dhearg. The incident occurred on February 27, 2026, and was shared on social media by the group, who described Queen Victoria derogatorily as the 'Famine Queen' due to her perceived negligence during the Irish potato famine, a catastrophic event that greatly affected the Irish population in the 19th century. The group emphasized their disdain for the British monarchy by stating that Queen Victoria's reign coincided with the suffering and mass emigration of millions of Irish people, which has left a lasting impact on Ireland's historical narrative.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has since launched an appeal for witnesses to provide information regarding the vandalism. This act of protest not only seeks to highlight historical grievances surrounding British rule in Ireland but also illustrates the ongoing tensions between nationalist and unionist sentiments in Northern Ireland. Vandalism of historic statues is a growing trend worldwide, often igniting debates about colonialism, national identity, and cultural memory, and this incident adds a local layer to those discussions.

Reactions to the vandalism may vary significantly across community lines, with nationalist groups potentially applauding the act as a powerful statement against imperialism, while unionists may view it as an attack on their cultural heritage. The implications of such incidents continue to influence the discourse around public monuments and their representation of history, urging a reevaluation of their presence in public spaces.