Sand he’s been talking about it for months and now the location has been decided: the official national monument dedicated to Queen Elizabeth it will be erected in a corner of St James’s Park, the oldest Royal park, located a short distance from The Mall and Buckingham Palace, in the heart of the British capital. However, it remains to be decided who will be lucky enough to be awarded the coveted project.
The competition for the official monument of Queen Elizabeth begins
The competition starts today but interested artists, architects, technicians and designers have a few weeks to present ideas and projects. The conclusion of the first part of the selection is scheduled January 20, 2025. The shortlist of five finalists will then begin the second phase – a 10-week period in which more detailed development of the proposed ideas will be required, from which the winning project will then be chosen.
The British government spares no expense
The provisional budget allocated for the project starts at around 56 million euros and is destined to increase. The main requirement set by the is clear Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committeethe committee established by the British government and which will be responsible for the selection and supervision of the works: the memorial must be distinguished with a definitive representation of Elizabeth’s long reign.
The tribute to Queen Elizabeth is destined to make history
The memorial dedicated to Elizabeth – passed away at Balmoral on 8 September 2022, aged 96, of which 70 were spent on the throne – it is already indicated by industry experts as one of the most significant architectural and artistic projects in British history. It will include inclusive spaces that invite reflection, while others will celebrate the Queen by evoking the most iconic moments of her life, as well as the incredible contribution made by her reign to the lives of British people. A statue of the monarch will then be erected at the Marlborough Gate gates of St James’s Park.
A view of Buckingham Palace from a corner of St James’s Park, London (Getty Images)
Who will pay for Queen Elizabeth’s memorial?
The Westminster government will dip into its own coffers for construction costs and the future maintenance of the monument will also be borne by taxpayers. But it will be worth it: “The memorial will have to be a simply beautiful place” said Lord Janvrin, president of the committee and former private secretary of Elizabeth II. «A place you can visit and enjoy with friends and family, and in which reflect on the extraordinary life of the monarch».
A memorial for Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday
The winning project will be announced next summer and then completed beforehand approval of King Charles III and the prime minister. But to admire it we will have to wait until the spring of 2026. A date chosen not by chance: the memorial will be inaugurated in conjunction with what would have been the sovereign’s hundredth birthday.
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