Foster + Partners picked for memorial to Queen Elizabeth II

Lord Norman Foster's design team has been announced as the winner in the competition for a memorial to honour Britain's longest-reigning monarch, to be built in St James's Park in central London.

Another key part of the winning entry is a translucent bridge inspired by the shape of the late Queen's wedding tiara.

The chosen design is multi-faceted, with a separate statue of the Queen and Prince Philip, gardens and a Prince Philip Gate, along with a main monument to the late Queen to be built beside the Mall.

Images: Foster + Partners

Designers were required to submit examples of previous projects relevant to the vision for the memorial set out by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, alongside details of the unique skills of their multi-disciplinary teams.

The competition attracted a wide range of excellent creative talent from across the UK and internationally. The shortlisted teams will be required to submit their design concepts later in the Spring.

Design teams were asked to create a memorial masterplan that celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s extraordinary life of service and provides a space for pause and reflection.

Foster + Partners’ proposal honours Queen Elizabeth II’s ability to unite people, communities, and nations.

The journey through a tranquil family of Royal gardens is inspired by John Nash’s original romantic landscape, unified by a natural stone tessellated path from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth that meanders to cater to both commuters and visitors.

New figurative sculptures of Queen Elizabeth II and Her Majesty alongside Prince Philip at Birdcage Walk, mark the relocated Marlborough Gate and Prince Philip Gate. Between the gates, the Commonwealth Garden and Yinka Shonibare’s Wind Sculpture define a space for reflection and shared experience; the Community Garden’s artistic installations celebrate the diversity of the United Kingdom; and the Unity Bridge is a jewel crowning the path and Memorial journey.

Throughout, the Queen’s voice is ever present through audio installations and inscriptions, alongside an ever-evolving digital conservatory, accessible from the site, or anywhere in the world.

The site for the new national Queen Elizabeth II Memorial will include the area of St James’s Park adjacent to The Mall at Marlborough Gate, and land surrounding the pathway down to the lake, including the Blue Bridge. The site was chosen because of its proximity to the ceremonial route of The Mall, its historical and constitutional significance and personal connection to Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee was established by the UK Government and Royal Household in 2023 and comprises eight senior figures from across British public life, selected for their expertise, and chaired by The Late Queen’s former Private Secretary Lord Robin Janvrin.

The shortlisted design teams include:

• Foster + Partners with Yinka Shonibare and Michel Desvigne Paysagiste
• Heatherwick Studio with Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and Arup
• J&L Gibbons with Michael Levine RDI, William Matthews Associates, Structure Workshop and Arup
• Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects, Adam Lowe (Factum Arte) and Structure Workshop
• WilkinsonEyre with Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clark, Andy Sturgeon Design, Atelier One and Hilson Moran

The Committee is also continuing its work to develop proposals for a UK-wide legacy programme to commemorate Queen Elizabeth.