Memorial to be built for Queen Elizabeth
It's almost two years since Her Majesty passed away
A new national memorial will be built to honour the life of Queen Elizabeth II, on the second anniversary of her death.
The nation’s longest-reigning monarch died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8 2022 at the age of 96.
Today Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a memorial will be built in St James's Park in London, close to Buckingham Palace
Sir Keir said a new national memorial in her honour will provide “everyone with a place to honour the late Queen and connect with the shared history we cherish”.
The site, approved by King Charles and the Prime Minister, was chosen because of its closeness to the ceremonial route of The Mall, and Buckingham Palace, and its historical and constitutional significance, but also because of a poignant personal connection to the late Queen – the nearby statues of her beloved parents.
The bronze tributes to King George VI, who died at the age of 56 in 1952, and the Queen Mother, who died aged 101 in the Golden Jubilee year of 2002, stand just a short distance along The Mall.
Sir Keir said: “Queen Elizabeth II’s enduring legacy of service and devotion to our country will never be forgotten.
“The national memorial will be located in St James’s Park, right in the heart of the capital, providing everyone with a place to honour the late Queen and connect with the shared history we cherish.”
The Queen travelled up and down The Mall in horse-drawn carriages and state cars watched by huge crowds countless times over the decades, making the journey for jubilees, state visits, on her coronation day, and for birthday celebrations, royal weddings and funerals.
What will the Queen's memorial look like?
Architects, artists and designers will be invited to submit proposals later this year to fit the brief of providing a memorial, which will serve as a space for contemplation and community and be of appropriate scale and ambition to match the late Queen’s impact.
The memorial, depending on its form, will be located just a few hundred metres from the Palace, in the area of St James’s Park adjacent to The Mall at Marlborough Gate, and on the east of the pathway which leads down to the lake near the park’s Blue Bridge.
Public funds will be used to pay for the memorial, but the UK Government will also make funding available for memorial projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The announcement of the final design will coincide with what would have been the Queen’s 100th birthday year in 2026.
What will happen in Scotland?
A committee will consider a potential Scottish memorial project for the late Queen, the First Minister has said.
John Swinney said: “My thoughts, and those of the Scottish people, are with the King and the royal family as they mark the second anniversary of the death of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
“At the time of Her Majesty’s passing, many of us reflected on her long life of valued service to the nation, and the respect and admiration she had for the people of Scotland.
“I welcome proposals for a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth in London to mark her life and service across the UK.
“A Scottish committee will also be established to engage with the UK legacy programme and to consider a potential memorial project specific to Scotland.”
A look back at Queen Elizabeth's funeral
The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, as it leaves Westminster Hall for the State Funeral at Westminster Abbey
King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex walk behind the coffin as it moves to Westminster Abbey
The State Gun Carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II
Members of the clergy wait for the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to arrive at Westminster Abbey
King Charles III salutes the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into Westminster Abbey
King Charles III and the Queen Consort in front of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during her State Funeral
(front row) King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, (second row) the Duke of Sussex, the Duchess of Sussex, Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Lady Louise Windsor, and (third row) Samuel Chatto, Arthur Chatto, Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto in front of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II
Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby speaking during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
An aerial view of The Queen's coffin as the procession after Her Majesty's funeral makes its way through London
Her Majesty The Queen's coffin during the procession after her funeral in London
The Queen's coffin being pulled along The Mall during the procession after Her Majesty's funeral
Buckingham Palace staff pay their respects as the Queen's coffin and procession pass by following Her Majesty's funeral
The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, in the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey.
The Royal family watch as the funeral procession reaches Wellington Arch and Queen Elizabeth II's coffin is transferred from the gun carriage to the state hearse
The Queen's coffin reaches Wellington Arch ahead of the journey to Windsor
The funeral moves to Windsor
The Queen's coffin and funeral procession arriving at Windsor
Crowds gather by the famous Long Walk at Windsor for The Queen's funeral procession
King Charles lll leads The Queen's funeral procession as it arrives at Windsor
The Queen's fell pony, Emma, standing by Her Majesty's funeral procession as it arrives at Windsor
The Royal family at the Queen's Committal service at St George's chapel in Windsor
Arriving at the funeral
Prince George enters Westminster Abbey
The Queen consort, Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at Queen Elizabeth's funeral
Funeral Guests
Former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of The Queen's funeral.
Prime Minister Liz Truss arriving at Westminster Abbey for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll
US President Joe Biden walks through Westminster Abbey to take his seat at The Queen's funeral.
The Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, greets US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife arriving at Westminster Abbey for The Queen's funeral
Guests begin to arrive for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey in London.
Ahead of the Funeral
A quiet and still Buckingham Palace ahead of Her Majesty The Queen's state funeral in London
Guests arriving and taking their seats at Westminster Abbey ahead of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Crowds gathering in central London ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll
Police officers in central London ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll
Orders of Service on seats ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey
Before the funeral
On the eve of her funeral, the royal family released a previously unseen photo of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll, that was taken to mark the Monarch's Platinum Jubilee.
Before the funeral the Queen lay in state in Westminster Hall. Thousand of people queued day and night to walk past the coffin and pay their respects.
King Charles, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex stood vigil around the coffin for a spell on on of the days.
On Saturday 17th September, The Queen's grandchildren, led by Prince William, held a vigil around their grandmother's coffin during her lying-in-state at Westminster Hall.
On Friday 16th September, King Charles lll led a vigil of The Queen's children around their mother's coffin lying-in-state at Westminster Hall
Queen Elizabeth II
There can be little doubt the biggest story of 2022 was the loss of the UK's longest-serving monarch, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal family confirmed the sad news on the evening of 8th September.
Huge numbers of tributes were paid to the late Queen as the country entered into a period of mourning. The new King paid tribute to his 'dear mama' in his first specch as monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, draped in the Royal Standard, was carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage during the ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London, where Her Majesty lay in state.
As the Queen died at Balmoral in Scotland, her coffin had to be brought back to London, with the RAF flying her back.
After her death, the Queen lay at rest in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh for a day so that people could pay their respects.
King Charles and his siblings stood vigil in the Cathedral.