Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
The competition to find a designer to create the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II has entered a crucial stage.
The government deadline for teams interested in designing the monument is looming. The memorial, in the heart of London, is set to be a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II with the government calling it ”one of the most significant design projects in recent British history”.
It will stand in St. James’ Park , close to Buckingham Palace. It will be located next to the Mall at Marlborough Gate and the land around the path to the lake including the Blue Bridge and across to Birdcage Walk.
There’s a special committee overseeing the creation of the memorial and they said they want it to be ”an emotionally powerful place” which contains ”celebratory spaces as well as areas to encourage reflection.”
In December, they began the first stage of the competition. At this point, they are inviting applications from architect-led multidisciplinary teams to take on the project.
Those interested don’t have to offer actual designs just yet but, by January 20th 2025, they must submit full details of the team that they would put together to create the memorial. It is expected that the final design team will include artists, engineers and architects.
Once the deadline has passed, five teams will be selected for the final stages. A ten week design stage will then open during which ideas for the memorial will be developed before a plan is selected.
The winner in April 2026 to mark the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. A final decision will have the input of King Charles III and Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
The committee is chaired by Queen Elizabeth II’s former Private Secretary, Lord Janvrin, who said ”we want to attract the finest teams of architects, artists, landscape architects, engineers and other specialists to work with us to create an outstanding design for the memorial site. We are looking for teams who thoroughly understand and connect with our ambitions for the project.”
Looking ahead, Lord Janvrin added ”the memorial must be – simply – a beautiful place, somewhere to visit with family and friends, to enjoy and to reflect on an extraordinary life.”
The deadline for submissions is at 2pm on January 20th 2025 with applications to be made online at the dedicated competition website – Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial Masterplan Design Competition.