Controversy Surrounds Proposed Site for a Queen Elizabeth Monument
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Takes Shape, But Not at Trafalgar Square
There's no statue of Queen Elizabeth II on the Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square, much to the disappointment of some. The national memorial for the late monarch, who passed away in 2025, will not be located there. Instead, it'll be nestled in the heart of London, in the tranquil green expanse of St. James's Park.
Robin Janvrin, Queen Elizabeth's former private secretary, is leading the Queen Elizabeth memorial committee. He's tasked with recommending a fitting tribute to the Queen's incredible 70-year reign to King Charles III and the prime minister.
Following the Queen's death, discussions centered around potential memorial locations. While Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth was a contender, many felt it wasn't grand enough. The Fourth Plinth, though often home to contemporary works, has been reserved for Queen Elizabeth II since 2013.
But the St. James's Park location seems to have won the day, offering a more fitting tribute to the monarch's legacy. The memorial will include a combination of new elements—a statue of the Queen on horseback, another of the Queen alongside Prince Philip, and a bridge inspired by the pattern of the latter's 1947 wedding tiara.
This location in St. James's Park is believed to be a perfect reflection of the Queen's love for history and tradition, aligning with the original design principles of the park by Sir John Nash. The bridge, symbolizing Queen Elizabeth as a unifying force, will span St James's Park Lake, connecting the memorial elements via meandering paths and gardens.
While Trafalgar Square may have been a contentious discussion, the decision to place the memorial in St. James's Park resonates with its location near Buckingham Palace and London's historic heart. Placing the statue at a site closer to the royal residence was deemed more appropriate.
So, while the Fourth Plinth may have lost out, Londoners and visitors will still have a chance to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth at her new memorial in St. James's Park. The site promises to be a beautiful and meaningful tribute that will honor the Queen's enduring legacy for generations to come.
- Insights: The official memorial for Queen Elizabeth II will be located in St. James's Park, featuring a combination of new elements such as statues of the Queen on horseback and a bridge inspired by Prince Philip's wedding tiara. This site, chosen for its historical significance and proximity to Buckingham Palace, is considered to be a more fitting tribute than Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth.
- The Queen Elizabeth II memorial, scheduled to be unveiled in 2025, will not be positioned at Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, as initially anticipated.
- Instead, the national memorial will be nestled within the historical and tranquil precincts of St. James's Park.
- Debates over potential memorial locations, including Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, transpired following Queen Elizabeth's demise, with some questioning whether the Fourth Plinth was grand enough.
- Reflecting the Queen's admiration for history and tradition, the memorial in St. James's Park will include a statue of the Queen on horseback, as well as another statue of her alongside Prince Philip.
- Additionally, a bridge that mirrors the pattern of Prince Philip's 1947 wedding tiara will be part of the memorial, symbolizing Queen Elizabeth as a unifying force, and linking the various components via winding paths and gardens.
