King Charles has been kept informed of the plans and consulted on the developments, with the final design to be made public in April 2026 to coincide with the centenary of the late Queen’s birth.
But the sculptor of the showcase statue on the Mall, Martin Jennings, explained it would show the horse-loving monarch standing rather than riding.
“After careful research and thought, my design for the Queen’s monument will emphasise her role as head of state and proudly follows a sculptural tradition that shows kings and queens from the House of Windsor in a standing position,” said Jennings.
The previous horse-riding images had been for illustrative purposes only to show the size, scale and location rather than the final design, says the Cabinet Office.
The statue will not be far from memorials to the late Queen’s parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and they are shown standing and wearing formal robes.