LONDON, Sept 6 (Reuters) - The restoration of Britain's iconic Big Ben tower at the Houses of Parliament has moved closer to completion with the return of the hands on its famous clock, now restored to their original Prussian blue colour.

Yes, the clock faces of Big Ben are now blue, having been restored to their original Victorian color scheme. During the massive five-year restoration project of the Elizabeth Tower that was completed in 2022, historians discovered that the clock's hands and numbers were originally a vibrant Prussian Blue when the tower was first built in 1859. For decades, the clock had been painted black, a change made in the 1930s likely to mask the effects of London's heavy pollution and smog. The restoration team also regilded the ornate stonework and returned the surrounding shields to their original colors, featuring the red and white of the Union Flag. This dramatic "new" look—which is actually its most authentic "old" look—surprised many tourists who had only ever known the landmark with its soot-colored black trim. In 2026, the tower stands as a glistening example of Gothic Revival architecture, with its blue dials and brilliant gold accents visible from miles away along the Thames.