Norman Foster wins bid to design national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II
- Foster + Partners, led by Norman Foster, was chosen to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in St James's Park.
- The design includes a translucent bridge inspired by the Queen's wedding tiara, with gardens and statues for public reflection.
- The memorial is expected to be unveiled in 2026, coinciding with the late Queen's 100th birthday.
In London, the international architecture firm Foster + Partners was chosen to design a national memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The announcement was made in June 2023, shortly after the Queen's passing in September 2022, at the age of 96. Among various proposals, Foster's design stood out, featuring a translucent glass bridge inspired by the Queen's wedding tiara, as well as landscaped gardens and statues of both Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip. The memorial will be located in St James’s Park, which is significant due to its proximity to key royal locations like Buckingham Palace. The design also incorporates a family of gardens and paths, which seek to encapsulate the Queen's legacy of unity and her capacity to bridge various aspects of society, cultures, and the Commonwealth. Lord Foster described the honor of receiving the project and expressed his aim for the memorial to serve as a contemplative space for public reflection. Foster's firm plans to implement the memorial with a