Incredible winning design for huge memorial to late Queen finally unveiled
Key features include a statue of the Queen in a new civic space called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate, a new Prince Philip Gate on the other side of the park on Birdcage Walk with a statue of Philip, as well as a 'family of gardens', meandering paths and a new translucent, glass unity bridge.
The Mirror exclusively revealed last year that a national memorial will stand in St James's Park in the heart of London, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer later said would provide "everyone with a place to honour the late Queen and connect with the shared history we cherish".
The late Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. Elizabeth II, whose reign spanned 70 years, dedicated her life to her royal duty.
The memorial bridge is inspired by the tiara Queen Elizabeth wore on her wedding day to the late Prince Philip in 1947. The tiara, known as the Queen Mary Fringe diamond tiara, famously broke just hours before she was due to walk down the aisle.
The crown had to be rushed by police escort to Garrard jewellers to be fixed, and soon became an iconic symbol of her wedding day and long-lasting relationship.
The new crossing, located a stones throw away from the bronze statues on the Mall, will replace the park's existing Blue Bridge and will serve as a fitting reminder of the late Queen's achievements during her 70-year reign.
As well as the new bridge and statues being constructed, the park will see a 'family of gardens' be built, as well as twisting paths and a contemporary wind structure erected to give visitors a place for quiet reflection.
The memorial in London will be one of many around the country dedicated to the late Queen, with statues of Queen Elizabeth already standing proud in York, Andover, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Royal Albert Hall.
Speaking of being selected to create the tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, Lord Foster - who also designed The Gherkin in London - said the memorial would not disrupt the park, and would be handled with a 'light touch' to capture both the formal and informal qualities of the late Queen.
He said: 'The Queen encompassed, historically, periods of significant change, socially and technologically, but it was all very much with a light touch, and that light touch, the feeling should be that if you visit St James's Park and the site in question later, it will still feel very familiar.'
'At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of Her Majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces.'
Lord Foster added that the atmosphere of the memorial would be 'gentler, quieter, more contemplative, and an opportunity to rediscover, or perhaps for some to discover, the legacy of Her Majesty'.
Earlier this year, five design options were unveiled in St James's Park, with the public encouraged to view the potential memorials and give their opinion on which would be best to honour the late Queen. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee decided on the final design, also taking into account the views of the public.
The exact proposal for the memorial will be subject to change, with the panel of committee members working with the team on the final design. It is expected to be unveiled in 2026 to coincide with what would have been the late Queen's 100th birthday year.
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