King George V Opened the Current London Bridge in 1928 — Not the Queen

The current London Bridge (the third stone bridge at the site) was opened by King George V on March 17, 1928. Queen Elizabeth II (his granddaughter) did not open it — she was 2 years old at the time.

London Bridge Lineage

1. Roman timber bridge (~50 AD) — first crossing.
2. Medieval stone bridge (1209–1831) — 19 arches, houses/shops on it, heads on spikes.
3. Rennie's granite bridge (1831–1968) — 5 arches, designed by John Rennie, built by his sons. Opened by William IV & Queen Adelaide.
4. Current concrete box-girder bridge (1973–present) — designed by Mott, Hay & Anderson. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II on March 17, 1973.

Wait — Two Openings?

The 1928 opening was for Rennie's bridge after it was widened and reconstructed (1902–1904, then 1920s). King George V reopened the widened Rennie bridge.

The 1973 opening was for the entirely new replacement bridge — opened by Queen Elizabeth II.

Where Is Rennie's Bridge Now?

Sold 1968 to Robert McCulloch → dismantled, shipped, rebuilt at Lake Havasu City, Arizona (completed 1971). It's a tourist attraction there.

Summary

• 1928: King George V reopens widened Rennie bridge (1831 original).
• 1973: Queen Elizabeth II opens current modern bridge.
• Neither queen opened "the" London Bridge in 1928.