This polarizing plate has first and second transparent protective films bonded on both surfaces of a polarizing element, the first and second transparent protective films being bonded to the polarizing element through an adhesive layer formed by radiating an activation energy beam on an activation energy beam-curable adhesive. At least the first transparent protective film contains a plasticizer and cellulose ester, and is a cellulose ester film of uneven plasticizer distribution having the plasticizer unevenly distributed on one surface thereof. The surface of the cellulose ester film of uneven plasticizer distribution having the plasticizer unevenly distributed thereon is the surface that is bonded by the adhesive layer. Even if the polarizing plate uses a cellulose ester film as the transparent protective film, good optical characteristics and bonding strength can be attained.