Summary
Foster + Partners has been chosen to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in St James’s Park. The design features two gardens for the Commonwealth & UK communities, a new bridge inspired by the Queen’s wedding tiara, and sculptures by artist Yinka Shonibare. The final design will be unveiled in April 2026 — what would have been her 100th birthday.
Foster + Partners to Design National Memorial to Queen Elizabeth II
What is the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial?
Foster + Partners will design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II at the heart of St James’s Park in London. The memorial will be a lasting tribute to the Queen’s long life of public service and will offer a peaceful place for people to reflect.
The winning design was announced on 24 June 2025 after a public competition overseen by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee. It celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s life as a monarch who united tradition with modernity, public duty with personal faith, and the United Kingdom with the global Commonwealth.
What will the design include?
The Foster + Partners design concept features two new gardens representing the Commonwealth and the communities of the United Kingdom. A new bridge across St James’s Park lake — with a cast-glass balustrade recalling Queen Elizabeth’s wedding tiara — will connect these gardens, forming a “unifying path.”
A new Prince Philip Gate will also be created, alongside figurative sculptures and other artistic elements. Artist Yinka Shonibare will contribute a Wind Sculpture statue, while celebrated landscape designer Michel Desvigne will shape the gardens. The winning team also includes a range of consultants, including David Bonnett Associates for accessibility and Space Syntax for pedestrian flow.
Why was Foster + Partners chosen?
The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee was impressed with the practice’s “balance of formal and informal elements,” as well as its sensitivity to St James’s Park’s history, ecology, and visitor experience. The design restores some of the original principles of John Nash’s historic park design while allowing gentle updates to suit today’s visitors.
Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners, said:
“Her Majesty loved history and tradition, so this is reflected in the inspiration of the original design of St James’s Park by Sir John Nash. Some of his principles have survived, whilst others have been lost and will be restored, creating a family of gardens joined by gently meandering paths.”
“At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of Her Majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces.”
Robin Janvrin, chair of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, added:
“Foster + Partners’ ambitious and thoughtful masterplan will allow us and future generations to appreciate Queen Elizabeth’s life of service as she balanced continuity and change with strong values, common sense and optimism throughout her long reign.”
When will the memorial be completed?
The final design will be announced in April 2026 — a significant date, as it will coincide with what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s hundredth birthday. Foster + Partners will now work with the committee to appoint a sculptor and further develop the concept, ensuring that the park stays accessible throughout the phased construction.
St James’s Park will remain open to the public, and the design will respect its landscape and biodiversity, minimising disruption for visitors and local wildlife.
Photos of Queen Elizabeth II Memorial
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is designing the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial?
Foster + Partners has been chosen to design the national memorial in St James’s Park.
2. Where will the memorial be built?
The memorial will be in St James’s Park, between Marlborough Gate and Birdcage Walk.
3. What will the memorial look like?
It will feature two gardens — one for the Commonwealth and one for UK communities — connected by a new bridge inspired by the Queen’s wedding tiara. A Prince Philip Gate and figurative sculptures will also be part of the design.
4. When will the final design be revealed?
The final design will be announced in April 2026, to coincide with what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s hundredth birthday.
5. Will the park remain open during construction?
Yes. The design will be built in phases so that St James’s Park stays open to the public.
6. Who are the main collaborators?
The team includes artist Yinka Shonibare, landscape designer Michel Desvigne, accessibility consultant David Bonnett Associates, lighting designer, ecologists, and many other specialists.
7. Why was Foster + Partners’ design selected?
The committee praised its sensitivity to the park’s history, its balance of formal and informal spaces, and its minimal impact on nature.