Key Takeaways
- A permanent memorial for Queen Elizabeth II will be built in St James’s Park, London, featuring statues of the Queen in Garter robes and Prince Philip in Naval uniform.
- The memorial includes a cast‑glass bridge inspired by the Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara, a later‑life bust, the Commonwealth Wind Sculpture, and gardens dedicated to the Commonwealth and the UK nations.
- The Queen Elizabeth Trust, a new UK‑wide charity endowed with a £40 million government grant, will fund community centres and green spaces to honour the late monarch’s public‑service ethos.
- An online Digital Memorial will digitise Court Circular records and invite global contributions of memories, images, and stories of Elizabeth II’s reign.
- Memorial designs and related information will be exhibited in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Hillsborough Castle on 24 April to engage audiences across the United Kingdom.
Announcement and Viewing Event
On 21 April 2026, the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee unveiled its recommendations for a permanent memorial in St James’s Park, coinciding with the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth. Their Majesties The King and Queen, other royal family members, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended a preview at the British Museum to review the designs. The event highlighted the nation’s intention to honour the longest‑serving monarch’s life of public service with a space for reflection that will benefit future generations.
Masterplan and Architectural Team
The memorial’s masterplan was created by Foster + Partners in collaboration with landscape architect Michel Desvigne Paysagiste. The scheme integrates architecture, sculpture, and planting to produce a contemplative environment in the heart of London. Design development followed a public competition and extensive consultation with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, experts in arts, history, and heritage, and stakeholders from across the United Kingdom.
Statue of Queen Elizabeth II
A centrepiece of the memorial is a new standing bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II positioned to overlook The Mall at Marlborough Gate, near Buckingham Palace. Sculptor Martin Jennings will depict the monarch in the early years of her reign, wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter, drawing inspiration from Pietro Annigoni’s iconic portrait. The statue’s appearance will be refined during the sculpting process to capture both likeness and regal poise.
Statue of Prince Philip
Adjacent to the Queen’s statue, a companion bronze figure will portray Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in his Admiral‑of‑the‑Fleet uniform at a similar age. Jennings will also sculpt this piece, positioning it to recognise the Duke’s steadfast support throughout Elizabeth II’s seventy‑year reign. Together, the statues symbolise the partnership that defined much of the monarchy’s modern era.
Additional Memorial Features
Beyond the statues, the memorial will incorporate several distinctive elements. A cast‑glass bridge, inspired by the Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara worn on Elizabeth II’s wedding day, will span a water feature, adding a luminous, delicate touch. A bust of the Queen in her later years, created by sculptor Karen Newman, will offer a more intimate portrayal. The Commonwealth Wind Sculpture, an abstract work by Yinka Shonibare, will celebrate the global reach of the Commonwealth. Finally, dedicated gardens for the Commonwealth and the four UK nations will provide spaces for relaxation, reflection, and community gatherings.
The Queen Elizabeth Trust
Simultaneously with the memorial launch, the independent charity The Queen Elizabeth Trust was established to perpetuate the late monarch’s commitment to public service. Chaired by Sir Damon Buffini—also Chair of the Royal National Theatre and Deputy Chair of the BBC Board—the Trust received the Royal Patronage of His Majesty The King. Guided by the Queen’s words “everyone is our neighbour,” the Trust will fund and support community centres, green spaces, and other local assets across the United Kingdom, ensuring they are shaped by and for the people they serve.
Funding and Impact of the Trust
To launch its work, the UK Government has provided a one‑off £40 million endowment to the Trust. This seed capital will enable immediate grants for projects of public value and act as a catalyst for broader fundraising efforts. The Trust’s interim chief executive, Claire Whitaker CBE, emphasised that the charity aims to create inclusive, revitalised spaces where communities can come together for years to come, directly reflecting the values Elizabeth II championed throughout her reign.
Digital Memorial Initiative
Also launched on 21 April is The Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial, an online platform that will digitise Court Circular records and combine them with museum, archive, and media materials. The site will map key events from Elizabeth II’s reign and invite users worldwide to contribute personal memories, photographs, and stories tagged to specific dates and locations. Notable figures such as Tom Daley, Dame Tracey Emin, and Baroness Valerie Amos have already submitted recollections, helping to build a living archive that will preserve the monarch’s legacy for future generations.
National Outreach and Exhibitions
To ensure broad access, models of the permanent memorial and detailed information about the Trust and Digital Memorial will be displayed at the National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh), the Millennium Centre (Cardiff), and Hillsborough Castle (Northern Ireland) on 24 April. These exhibitions allow citizens from all four nations to engage with the plans, ask questions, and provide feedback, reinforcing the memorial’s UK‑wide significance and inclusivity.
Reflections from Committee and Design Leaders
Lord Janvrin, Chair of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, praised the Queen’s quiet leadership, common sense, optimism, and sense of duty, stating that the memorial seeks to capture her role while delivering public benefit. Lord Foster, Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners, noted that the design spans ages and interests, conveying the stability and composure Elizabeth II demonstrated amid social and technological change. Both leaders emphasised the memorial’s potential to become a serene, contemplative space where the public can rediscover or discover the monarch’s enduring legacy.
Broader UK Memorial Funding
In addition to the central London memorial, the UK Government has allocated funding for commemorative projects in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This approach ensures that the nation’s tribute to Queen Elizabeth II reflects the diverse cultures and communities across the United Kingdom, allowing each region to honour her legacy in locally meaningful ways.
Committee Background and Approval Process
The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee was formed in 2023 to develop the memorial plans, drawing expertise from arts, history, heritage, and various stakeholders. Throughout the process, His Majesty The King has been consulted, and the Committee’s final proposals received the Prime Minister’s approval in April 2026. This thorough, inclusive framework underscores the commitment to creating a memorial that is both respectful of the late monarch’s life and beneficial to the public for generations to come.