Latest news with #QueenElizabethMemorialCommittee
Euronews
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Winning design selected for UK memorial to Queen Elizabeth II
The winning design for the national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II has been announced and will feature commemorative gardens, a translucent glass bridge and a statue of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. British studio Foster + Partners has been selected to honour Britain's longest-reigning monarch through their ambitious design, to be built in St James's Park in central London. The proposal was selected by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee from a shortlist of five. It was praised for its "impressive" design that is "capable of creating an engaging landmark". "Foster + Partners' ambitious and thoughtful masterplan will allow us and future generations to appreciate Queen Elizabeth's life of service as she balanced continuity and change with strong values, common sense and optimism throughout her long reign," said committee chair Robin Janvrin. The design, envisioned by the studio alongside artist Yinka Shonibare, landscape architect Michel Desvigne and ecologist Professor Nigel Dunnett, will be finalised and revealed next year. The concept seeks to honour Queen Elizabeth II's ability to balance dualities – namely tradition and modernity, and formal and informal elements. To represent this, the design encompasses two new gates and two new gardens that will sit either side of St James's Park Lake, and be connected by the Unity Bridge. The "unifying path" will feature a cast-glass balustrade inspired by Queen Elizabeth's 1947 wedding tiara. "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," said studio founder Norman Foster. Foster is known for his designs for the Gherkin skyscraper and Millennium Bridge in London, as well as renovations of the Reichstag in Berlin.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Inside plans for national memorial to Queen Elizabeth
Renowned architect Lord Foster has won the bid to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, a project set to transform St James's Park. The memorial will feature a statue of the Queen at a new Queen Elizabeth II Place, a Prince Philip Gate with a statue of Philip, and a 'family of gardens'. A central element is a translucent, glass unity bridge inspired by the Queen's wedding tiara, symbolising her as a unifying force. Lord Foster described his 'light touch' design as aiming to enhance the park while preserving its familiar feel, with completion expected by 2026. The winning design was selected by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, and Lord Foster stated that any past disagreements with the King are now insignificant.
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Touching designs for major memorial to Queen Elizabeth unveiled for first time
Five early concept designs for a new landmark memorial to the late Queen, who died in September 2022, in St James Park in the heart of London have gone on display The final shortlisted designs for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II have been unveiled, including a bronze cast of a Windsor oak tree, a giant canopy of stone lily pads and a statue of the late Queen next to Prince Philip. The five early design concepts have been displayed as part of an online public exhibition which opened today. Other ideas include audio installations featuring the late Queen's voice, a "tranquil family" of romantic royal gardens inspired by the Georgian architect John Nash, "forest bathing in the heart of the city", and a "graceful and strong" stone bridge with cascading water. The public is being encouraged to view the proposed designs for the competition run by Malcolm Reading Consultants and offer feedback by May 19. The Mirror exclusively revealed last year that the national memorial will stand in St James's Park in the heart of London, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer later said will 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. After a year of consideration by a specially appointed committee headed by Lord Janvrin, the late Queen's former private secretary in the wake of her passing, St James's Park has been chosen and approved by the King. The location of the memorial was chosen because of its closeness to the ceremonial route of The Mall, and Buckingham Palace, and its historical and constitutional significance, but also because of a poignant personal connection to the late Queen - the nearby statues of her beloved parents. The bronze tributes to King George VI, who died at the age of 56 in 1952, and the Queen Mother, who died aged 101 in the Golden Jubilee year of 2002, stand just a short distance along The Mall. The announcement of the final design will coincide with what would have been the Queen's 100th birthday year in 2026. Lord Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, said: "Queen Elizabeth II's extraordinary life of service profoundly touched countless individuals, and she was a figure of great respect and admiration. Memories of her long reign are still fresh for so many of us and we need to capture the essence of them for future generations." He added: "In recognition of this, it is only fitting that we invite the public to express their views on these design concepts. "We are delighted to be working with some of the best architects, artists and designers in the world to produce a landmark memorial of outstanding beauty that celebrates and honours the life of Queen Elizabeth II." Hailed as one of the most significant design initiatives in modern British history, the memorial in St James's Park, close to Buckingham Palace in the heart of London, will provide the public with a permanent memorial to the country's longest-reigning monarch, who died in 2022. A panel of committee members will select the winning concept and work with the team on the final design, which is expected to be unveiled in 2026, which would have been the late Queen's 100th birthday year. The committee will also select an artist, through a separate process, to create a figurative representation of Elizabeth II for the site on The Mall in central London. The five design concepts are: 1. A "tranquil family" of royal gardens inspired by John Nash's original landscape of the park, linked by a natural stone tessellated path by Lord Foster of Foster + Partners with artist Yinka Shonibare, ecologist Professor Nigel Dunnett and landscape architect Michel Desvigne Paysagiste. Other elements include a statue of the Queen alongside Philip on Birdcage Walk next to a Prince Philip Gate and, on the other side of the park, an equestrian statue of the Queen in a new civic space called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate. The plans also incorporate a contemporary wind sculpture for reflection, audio installations of the Queen's voice, a digital conservatory and a translucent Unity Bridge. 2. Bridge of Togetherness - A memorial walk inspired by the idea of "togetherness" with 70 lily pad stepping stones by Heatherwick Studio with sculptor and ceramicist Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and Arup. At the centre of the bridge is a limestone sculpture of the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet, protected by a giant canopy of eight carved sculptural lily pads, with the stone chosen because it will "age with dignity". 3. An innovative stone bridge over soil, tree roots and water, featuring a gentle cascade of water onto the lake, to represent the late Queen as the bedrock of the nation, has been designed by J&L Gibbons with production designer Michael Levine, and William Matthews Associates. It aims to capture a "meandering flow of geology carrying people through an ephemeral choreography of blossoming and colour beneath the high tree canopy" and includes glades to invite "forest bathing in the heart of the city". 4. The Queen's Oak - An exact bronze cast of an "awe-inspiring" ancient oak from Windsor Great Park, representing the late Queen's strength and endurance and symbolising the monarchy, is the central focus of a design by Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects and artist Adam Lowe of Factum Are. The digitally scanned replica tree would stand on a plinth in the lake, with a curved stone bridge as a viewing platform. There would also be a serpentine memorial path, for all ages and abilities, which incorporates inlaid bronze casts of significant objects from the late Queen's life and a "sonic soundscape" of memories from those she impacted. 5. A thread of pathways and landscapes "gently woven through the natural fabric" of the park with a pair of "elegant bridges" have been suggested by Wilkinson Eyre with artists Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clarke. Aiming to impose the "lightest footprint" on the park, the thread, with symbolic spaces for reflection, focuses on seven themes of the late Queen's life - reign, faith, Commonwealth, values, nature, family, and Prince Philip. The final design will be submitted to the King and Prime Minister Keir Starmer for approval. The proposed designs are available to view at Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the royals get back to their normal duties after a difficult year, the Mirror has launched its very own Royal WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the UK's most famous family. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. 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Times
07-05-2025
- General
- Times
Queen Elizabeth II memorial shortlist put to the public
A giant canopy of stone lily pads, the cast of a Windsor oak tree and a statue of the late Queen with Prince Philip are among the ideas shortlisted for a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. The public will now be asked for feedback on five early design concepts available to view online. Other ideas include audio installations featuring the late Queen's voice; a 'tranquil family' of romantic royal gardens inspired by the Georgian architect John Nash; 'forest bathing in the heart of the city'; and a 'graceful and strong' stone bridge with cascading water. Designs for a proposed thread of pathways and landscapes with a pair of 'elegant bridges' WILKINSONEYRE AND MALCOLM READING CONSULTANTS/PA The Queen's former private secretary Lord Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, said the late Queen's 'extraordinary life of service profoundly touched countless individuals, and she
The Independent
07-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Five shortlisted designs for Queen Elizabeth memorial revealed
Five shortlisted designs for a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, ranging from a bronze Windsor oak to tranquil royal gardens, have been unveiled. The proposals, unveiled as part of an online public exhibition, offer diverse ways to commemorate the late Queen's life and reign. One concept envisions a bronze cast of a Windsor oak tree, symbolising strength and longevity. Another proposes a vast canopy of stone lily pads, creating a unique architectural space for reflection. A more traditional approach features a statue of Queen Elizabeth II alongside her late husband, Prince Philip. Further ideas incorporate modern elements, such as audio installations featuring recordings of the Queen's voice. Another design draws inspiration from Georgian architect John Nash, proposing romantic royal gardens offering a "forest bathing" experience in an urban setting. A "graceful and strong" stone bridge with cascading water is suggested as a symbolic link between eras. The designs are currently illustrative, with a sculptor to be appointed later. The public can view the proposals and offer feedback until May 19 via the online exhibition managed by Malcolm Reading Consultants. This feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the final memorial. The Queen's former private secretary Lord Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, said: 'Queen Elizabeth II's extraordinary life of service profoundly touched countless individuals, and she was a figure of great respect and admiration. ' Memories of her long reign are still fresh for so many of us and we need to capture the essence of them for future generations.' Lord Janvrin added: 'In recognition of this, it is only fitting that we invite the public to express their views on these design concepts. 'We are delighted to be working with some of the best architects, artists and designers in the world to produce a landmark memorial of outstanding beauty that celebrates and honours the life of Queen Elizabeth II.' Hailed as one of the most significant design initiatives in modern British history, the memorial in St James's Park, close to Buckingham Palace in the heart of London, will provide the public with a permanent memorial to the country's longest-reigning monarch, who died in 2022. A panel of committee members will select the winning concept and work with the team on the final design, which is expected to be unveiled in 2026, which would have been the late Queen's 100th birthday year. The committee will also select an artist, through a separate process, to create a figurative representation of Elizabeth II for the site on The Mall in central London. What are the five shortlisted Queen memorials? The five design concepts are: 1. A 'tranquil family' of royal gardens inspired by John Nash's original landscape of the park, linked by a natural stone tessellated path by Lord Foster of Foster + Partners with artist Yinka Shonibare, ecologist Professor Nigel Dunnett and landscape architect Michel Desvigne Paysagiste. Other elements include a statue of the Queen alongside Philip on Birdcage Walk next to a Prince Philip Gate and, on the other side of the park, an equestrian statue of the Queen in a new civic space called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate. The plans also incorporate a contemporary wind sculpture for reflection, audio installations of the Queen's voice, a digital conservatory and a translucent Unity Bridge. 2. Bridge of Togetherness – A memorial walk inspired by the idea of 'togetherness' with 70 lily pad stepping stones by Heatherwick Studio with sculptor and ceramicist Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and Arup. At the centre of the bridge is a limestone sculpture of the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet, protected by a giant canopy of eight carved sculptural lily pads, with the stone chosen because it will 'age with dignity'. 3. An innovative stone bridge over soil, tree roots and water, featuring a gentle cascade of water onto the lake, to represent the late Queen as the bedrock of the nation has been designed by J&L Gibbons with production designer Michael Levine, and William Matthews Associates. It aims to capture a 'meandering flow of geology carrying people through an ephemeral choreography of blossoming and colour beneath the high tree canopy' and includes glades to invite 'forest bathing in the heart of the city'. 4. The Queen's Oak – An exact bronze cast of an 'awe-inspiring' ancient oak from Windsor Great Park, representing the late Queen's strength and endurance and symbolising the monarchy, is the central focus of a design by Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects and artist Adam Lowe of Factum Are. The digitally scanned replica tree would stand on a plinth in the lake, with a curved stone bridge as a viewing platform. There would also be a serpentine memorial path, for all ages and abilities, which incorporates inlaid bronze casts of significant objects from the late Queen's life and a 'sonic soundscape' of memories from those she impacted. 5. A thread of pathways and landscapes 'gently woven through the natural fabric' of the park with a pair of 'elegant bridges' have been suggested by WilkinsonEyre with artists Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clarke. Aiming to impose the 'lightest footprint' on the park, the thread, with symbolic spaces for reflection, focuses on seven themes of the late Queen's life – reign, faith, Commonwealth, values, nature, family, and Prince Philip. The final design will be submitted to the King and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for approval.
