A translucent glass bridge symbolizing the tiara that Queen Elizabeth II wore on her wedding day, along with a pair of statues honoring the British monarch, are central features in the design of a new memorial to be built in a London park. These details were revealed in artist renderings released on Tuesday. The memorial aims to celebrate Elizabeth’s achievements as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and her marriage to Prince Philip.
It will also include an audio installation featuring the queen’s voice and inscriptions of her quotations. The design, with an estimated cost ranging from $31 million to $62 million, is the work of Foster + Partners, a renowned architectural firm. The concept was chosen from five finalists in a competition initiated in December.
The final design will be officially announced in April by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which was established by the British government and the royal household in 2023 to oversee the project. The concept “celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s life through a time of great change, balancing tradition and modernity, public duty and private faith, the United Kingdom and a global Commonwealth,” according to the committee. Additionally, a “wind sculpture” by Yinka Shonibare, a celebrated British-Nigerian artist, is set to feature in the Commonwealth garden.
Bridge symbolizing unity and tradition
These thoughtful and artistic elements in the memorial underscore the profound impact Queen Elizabeth II had during her reign, embracing both historical and contemporary British art and architecture. The memorial, set to be located in St.
James Park near Buckingham Palace, will also include two gates and two gardens connected by the bridge, creating spaces for reflection and unity dedicated to the Commonwealth and the communities of the United Kingdom. “At the heart of our master plan is a translucent bridge symbolic of Her Majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities, and the armed forces,” said Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which is overseeing the project, praised Foster + Partners’ design for balancing formal and informal elements, creating an engaging landmark meant to endure for generations.
The publicly funded memorial is expected to cost about $62 million. This expense has sparked some public debate, with critics pointing to the substantial private wealth of the royal family. Graham Smith, CEO of the anti-monarchy group Republic, criticized the use of taxpayer money for the memorial, suggesting the royal family should cover the costs themselves.
The final design will be formally announced in April 2026, coinciding with what would have been Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday month.
