The final designs for a permanent memorial honouring the late Queen have been revealed.
Ahead of what would have been her 100th birthday on Tuesday, statues of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, have been unveiled, which will stand by Buckingham Palace in London.
The late Queen, sculpted in bronze, will overlook the Mall at Malborough Gate in St James’s Park, with a figure of her husband nearby to reflect the support he gave her during their 74-year marriage, according to the final recommendations.
The park is designed by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Michel Desvigne Paysagiste. In 2024, the government announced a provisional budget of between £23 to £46 million to create the memorial.
On Tuesday, King Charles and Queen Camilla will view the final designs at the British Museum in London, as part of a series of events in Queen Elizabeth’s honour.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “As our longest‑serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II devoted her life to public service. The nation will commemorate her extraordinary reign with a memorial that offers a place of reflection for generations to come.”
See the pictures for the final designs below…
© Cabinet Office
The final recommendations for a national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II have been unveiled.
The appearance of both statues, of the Queen and Prince Philip, will be “further refined” during the sculpting process, according to a press release.
© Steve Studios
The statue of the late Queen, who died at Balmoral Castle aged 96 in 2022, shows Her Majesty in the early stages of her reign, dressed in the robes of the Order of the Garter, inspired by Pietro Annigoni’s famous painting.
Prince Philip, the longest-serving consort, is presented at a similar age, wearing a uniform of the Admiral-of-the-Fleet.
© Cabinet Office
The park also features a new cast-glass bridge inspired by Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara, which was worn by Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day.
© Cabinet Office
There is also a bust of Her Majesty in her later years by sculptor Karen Newman; and The Commonwealth Wind Sculpture, a new abstract work by Yinka Shonibare.
The design also includes gardens dedicated to the Commonwealth and to the nations of the United Kingdom, creating spaces for relaxation and reflection. The memorial has been developed in consultation with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee following a design competition held last year.
© Cabinet Office
It comes alongside the launch of The Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial, which will create a record of Queen Elizabeth II’s public life and key memories from her reign, including insights from Olympic diver Tom Daley. A new UK-wide charity, The Queen Elizabeth Trust, has also been set up in her honour with King Charles as patron.
Chair of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee Lord Janvrin said: “Queen Elizabeth was admired around the world for her quiet leadership through times of great change – driven by her common sense, optimism and strong sense of duty.
“Our task has been to recommend a memorial capturing her role, her personality and what she meant to so many of us – whilst being of public benefit which was so important to her.”