The winning design for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II will prominently feature not only the late Queen but also her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Announced recently, the memorial will be situated in St James’s Park, central London, near Buckingham Palace—a site chosen for its historical significance and visibility from the royal residence. Lord Norman Foster’s design team emerged victorious among five shortlisted proposals, delivering a concept that blends traditional and modern elements to honour the monarch’s extraordinary life and service.

The memorial’s elements include a traditional statue of Queen Elizabeth II alongside a separate statue of Prince Philip, reflecting the inseparability of their long marriage which lasted 73 years until his death in 2021. Lord Foster remarked that portraying them together was essential to communicating their bond. A striking feature of the design is a translucent glass bridge inspired by the shape of the Queen’s wedding tiara—an artistic touch intended to evoke personal and royal symbolism. This bridge will span a pond in the park and feature a reinforced glass balustrade, visible from rooms in Buckingham Palace where the Queen often sat for portraits. The memorial complex will also include themed gardens, two new park gates including the “Prince Philip Gate,” and re-landscaped walkways.

Lord Robert Janvrin, chair of the memorial committee and a former private secretary to the Queen, said the design strikes a balance between formal and informal, traditional and modern. His hope is that the memorial will inspire reflection on the Queen’s long reign and the ways in which she embodied a life of public service, offering visitors a space to contemplate Britain’s evolving identity during her tenure. He believes the chosen location in St James’s Park is fitting and something the Queen herself would have appreciated.

The design process, which included a public consultation on five finalist concepts, revealed a rich diversity of proposals. These ranged from a bronze cast of a Windsor oak tree and a giant canopy of limestone lily pads to gardens inspired by historic royal landscape designs, and artistic audio installations featuring the Queen’s voice. This variety demonstrates an ambition to combine natural elements with artistic symbolism to encapsulate the Queen’s legacy. Among the shortlisted architects were Foster + Partners and Heatherwick Studio, highlighting the calibre of creative talent engaged in the project.

While the exact date for completion of the memorial has yet to be set, the final design aims for unveiling around 2026, coinciding with what would have been the Queen’s 100th birthday. The budget remains in discussion, previously estimated between £23 million and £46 million. Lord Foster described the project as both an honour and a creative challenge, pushing the boundaries of art and technology to create a lasting tribute to a monarch whose values resonated deeply with many.

This memorial not only promises to be a prominent and contemplative space within one of London’s most historic parks but also an emotional homage that brings together the Queen and Prince Philip in a shared legacy of service and devotion, inspiring future generations who pass through the grounds.

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Source: Noah Wire Services