Norman Foster to Design Queen Elizabeth II Memorial in London's St. James's Park

Foster + Partners, led by architect Norman Foster, has won the commission to design the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial in St. James's Park, London. The project, announced by the UK government in summer 2024, will replace the existing Blue Bridge with a new lightweight glass-bannister structure called the Unity Bridge, inspired by the Queen's diamond wedding tiara. The memorial also includes a new statue of Elizabeth II at Marlborough Gate, a gate dedicated to Prince Philip on Birdcage Walk with his statue, and a series of winding gardens. The winning team includes artist Yinka Shonibare, who will create a sculpture dedicated to the Wind, landscape architect Michel Desvigne, and ecology professor Nigel Dunnett. The memorial aims to honor the Queen's legacy while creating a new public space for reflection. The site was chosen for its proximity to Buckingham Palace, The Mall, and existing statues of her parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother. The project is part of a tradition of royal commemorations like the Royal Albert Hall and Victoria Memorial. The final masterplan will be presented in April 2026, the centenary of the Queen's birth, with a budget between £23 and £46 million, entirely publicly funded. A sculptor for the equestrian statue of Elizabeth and Philip's statue will be appointed later.