The memorial design, unveiled on the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth, centers on a standing bronze statue of the Queen in her Garter robes from early in her reign, according to multiple reports. This marks a departure from an original equestrian proposal that had been previously considered.
The statue of Queen Elizabeth II will be 7.3 meters high, with the figure itself measuring 3 meters tall atop a 4.3-meter plinth, according to major media reports. The design draws inspiration from a 1955 portrait of the Queen by Pietro Annigoni, capturing her likeness from that period. Approximately 20 meters behind the Queen's statue, a smaller companion statue of Prince Philip in his Naval uniform will be placed, creating a paired tribute to the royal couple.
The memorial will be situated in St James's Park at Marlborough Gate, within a newly designated area called Queen Elizabeth II Place. A key architectural feature of the design is a new glass bridge inspired by Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara, which will replace the existing Blue Bridge crossing the lake in the park.
The architectural firm Foster + Partners, in collaboration with landscape architects Michel Desvigne Paysagiste, designed the memorial park. The bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II is being sculpted by acclaimed artist Martin Jennings, who has previously created notable public sculptures.
The memorial project operates within a budget of up to £46 million, though the exact funding sources and cost breakdowns remain unspecified. Westminster City Council has granted formal planning permission for the construction, allowing the project to move forward. The timeline for completion and public opening has not been announced, leaving uncertainty about when visitors will be able to experience the memorial.
It's a wonderful idea for the bridge to be based on the Russian fringe tiara, the one that my mama wore at her wedding.
King Charles praised the memorial design as 'fantastic' during a viewing of the plans. The monarch, along with Queen Camilla and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, examined the memorial designs at the British Museum.
Despite royal approval, the memorial has faced opposition from some local residents. The Queen Anne's Gate Residents' Association has objected to the project, citing concerns about increased crime, anti-social behavior, and tourism congestion in the area.
The current standing statue design represents a significant change from the original proposal for an equestrian statue of Queen Elizabeth II on horseback. Some members of the public and design experts have criticized the current design as 'boring' or not sufficiently resembling the Queen, creating a contrast with the official royal endorsement.
Several aspects of the memorial project remain unclear, including the specific criteria used by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee to select the final standing statue design over the original equestrian proposal. The exact measures planned to address residents' concerns about increased crime and anti-social behavior have not been detailed publicly. Additionally, the specific changes made between the original equestrian proposal and the final design have not been fully disclosed.
Further unknowns include the precise funding mechanisms within the £46 million budget and how costs will be allocated across different elements of the project. The completion timeline remains unspecified, with no announced date for when construction will finish and the memorial will open to the public.