Shortlist for Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Revealed

The shortlist for designing a national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II has been announced, featuring five prominent teams, including Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, who previously criticized King Charles for his interventions in architectural planning. The memorial, intended to honor the late queen's extraordinary life of service, will be located in St James's Park, adjacent to Buckingham Palace. Other finalists include Heatherwick Studio, led by Thomas Heatherwick, and WilkinsonEyre with artists Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clarke. The selected teams must submit design concepts by Spring 2025, with the winner announced in Summer 2025, coinciding with the centenary of the queen's birth in 2026. The competition aims to provide a space for reflection and celebration while being assessed on various criteria, including visitor experience and value for money. The King has not participated in the shortlisting process, which attracted diverse creative talent from both the UK and beyond.