We now know what the official memorial to Queen Elizabeth II will look like.
It's an equestrian statue. But also a bridge. And a golden sculpture. And another statue of the Queen. And also Prince Philip. And some gardens. The official memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, to be built in St James's Park, London, is by no means a simple one.
The winning design comes from Foster + Partners. It was, perhaps, the most traditional concept of the shortlist, whose other contenders included some giant fungi and a golden tree.
The design features a series of elements, running along a path through the middle of the park on a roughly north-south axis.
Facing The Mall, the design is fronted by a sculpture of Her Late Majesty on horseback, not only reflecting the equestrian tradition of royal statuary, but also the Queen's love of all things horsey. Behind the statue, a winding trail will lead to the 'Unity Bridge', a slender crossing over the park's lake, which will replace the existing 'blue bridge'.
The southern end of the path at Birdcage Walk will be home to a statue of the former Duke of Edinburgh alongside another of the Queen, and a new 'Prince Philip Gate' (which sounds a bit like a royal scandal that never happened).
The designs also feature a golden Wind Sculpture from Yinka Shonibare, a series of interconnected gardens, and audio recordings of the Queen (which could be either moving or creepy depending on how they implement it).
More detailed designs are expected to be unveiled in 2026, with construction starting soon afterwards (assuming planning consent).
All images Foster + Partners.
