The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial will be situated in St James’s Park, a location chosen for its historical significance and its personal connection to the late monarch. The site’s proximity to The Mall, the ceremonial route she traversed numerous times during her 70-year reign, further underscores its importance.
The memorial will encompass the area of the park near The Mall at Marlborough Gate and the land surrounding the pathway to the lake, including the Blue Bridge. Its location is also near Buckingham Palace, the Commonwealth headquarters, and statues of Elizabeth’s parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
The announcement came over the weekend, just before the second anniversary of the Queen’s death on 8 September. This follows a consultation by The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which includes government officials, royal household members, and input from the public, experts, and stakeholders.
Design proposals will be invited from artists and designers later this year, with recommendations to be submitted to the King and Prime Minister. The final design is expected to be unveiled in 2026, the centenary year of Queen Elizabeth’s birth.
Public polling by YouGov indicates strong support for a memorial in the capital, though additional memorial projects will also be funded in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Lord Janvrin, Queen Elizabeth’s former private secretary and chair of the committee, remarked, “The Mall and St James’s Park, at the ceremonial heart of our capital, provide a location deeply associated with many significant events in the late Queen’s life. It is a fitting site for this national memorial to honor and celebrate her extraordinary contributions throughout her long reign.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added, “Queen Elizabeth II’s lasting legacy of service and devotion will always be remembered. The national memorial in St James’s Park will offer a central place for everyone to pay tribute to the late Queen and connect with our cherished shared history.”
