UK unveils memorial project for Queen Elizabeth
The United Kingdom has unveiled the final plans for a national memorial honoring Queen Elizabeth II, marking the centenary of her birth. The proposals, developed by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, include a landmark memorial park in London, the creation of a new charitable trust, and a digital platform where the public can share tributes.
The centerpiece of the project will be a permanent memorial in St James’s Park, designed by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Michel Desvigne Paysagiste. The site will feature a bronze statue of the late Queen overlooking The Mall near Buckingham Palace, inspired by a portrait by Pietro Annigoni. A companion statue of Prince Philip will also be installed, recognizing his decades of support during her reign.
Additional elements of the memorial include a glass bridge inspired by Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara, a later-life bust of the Queen by sculptor Karen Newman, and the “Commonwealth Wind Sculpture” by Yinka Shonibare. Landscaped gardens dedicated to the Commonwealth and the nations of the United Kingdom will provide spaces for reflection.
The plans were formally presented on April 21 at the British Museum, attended by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, members of the Royal Family, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer described the memorial as a lasting tribute to the UK’s longest-serving monarch and a place for future generations to reflect on her legacy.
Alongside the memorial, a new charity—the Queen Elizabeth Trust—has been established to support community regeneration projects across the country. With King Charles III as Royal Patron and chaired by Damon Buffini, the Trust will fund the restoration of community spaces, support local initiatives, and promote the late Queen’s values of service and unity. The UK government has pledged £40 million as an initial endowment.
A digital component will also accompany the tribute. The Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial will document key moments from the Queen’s reign, digitize official records, and allow people worldwide to upload personal memories, photos, and tributes. Contributions have already been made by public figures including Tom Daley and Tracey Emin.
Details of the memorial and associated initiatives will be showcased at venues across the UK, including the National Galleries of Scotland, Wales Millennium Centre, and Hillsborough Castle.
Lord Janvrin, chair of the committee, said the aim was to create a tribute that reflects both Queen Elizabeth II’s character and her enduring influence, while also delivering lasting benefits to communities across the United Kingdom.
