Lord Norman Foster, known for his significant architectural contributions, is in contention to design a national memorial for the late Queen Elizabeth II, despite his past criticism of King Charles.
An architect who previously expressed criticism towards King Charles has now secured a spot on the shortlist to design a national memorial dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Lord Norman Foster, a prominent figure known for his structural contributions such as London’s Gherkin, the Reichstag building in Berlin, and the British Museum’s Great Court, is in contention to create a tribute that celebrates the extraordinary life and service of the former monarch.
Foster’s architectural firm, Foster + Partners, is among five teams that have been shortlisted following the initial phase of a two-stage open competition for the memorial. The competition has attracted significant interest and includes a varied range of talent. In addition to Foster, his team comprises British artist Yinka Shonibare, noted for his exploration of cultural identity and post-colonial themes, along with ecologist Professor Nigel Dunnett, who is well-known for his role in the Superbloom planting scheme at the Tower of London, a project that marked the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Despite being in the running for this prestigious commission, it is of note that Lord Foster has previously been vocal about his disapproval of the King’s involvement in architectural matters. In 2009, he was part of a group of distinguished architects who penned a letter condemning Charles, then the Prince of Wales, for his attempts to influence the redevelopment plans for the Chelsea Barracks in London. The group was responding to the royal’s advocacy for a shift away from a modernist steel and glass design towards a more classical architectural approach, which he felt was more suitable for the site.
This turn of events places Lord Foster in an interesting position, combining his prior public criticism of the King with his current opportunity to create a memorial that pays homage to one of the most significant figures in British history.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.shropshirestar.com/uk-news/2025/02/25/queens-memorial-design-shortlist-includes-lord-foster-who-once-criticised-king/ – This article supports the claim that Lord Norman Foster is on the shortlist to design a memorial for Queen Elizabeth II, despite previously criticizing King Charles. It also mentions the competition for the memorial design.
- https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/norman-foster-pays-tribute-to-faultless-queen/5119172.article – This article highlights Norman Foster’s tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, emphasizing his respect for her leadership and his personal connection through the Order of Merit award.
- https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/architecture/great-court – This webpage provides details about the Great Court at the British Museum, designed by Foster and Partners, showcasing one of Norman Foster’s notable architectural contributions.
- https://www.archdaily.com/tag/norman-foster/page/2 – This webpage offers background information on Norman Foster’s architectural career and prominence, including his role in significant architectural events like the Stirling Prize jury.
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jun/02/prince-charles-chelsea-barracks – This article discusses Prince Charles’s involvement in the Chelsea Barracks redevelopment, which was criticized by architects including Norman Foster for promoting a classical architectural style over modern designs.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not contain outdated references, but it lacks specific dates for recent events. However, it mentions historical events like the 2009 Chelsea Barracks controversy, which is well-documented.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Express, a well-known publication but one that may have varying levels of reliability depending on the topic.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are plausible given the context of architectural competitions and the involvement of prominent figures like Lord Norman Foster. The narrative aligns with known facts about Foster’s past criticisms of King Charles.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears plausible and is based on known historical events. However, the lack of direct quotes and the potential variability in reliability of the source means the confidence is medium.
