Foster + Partners Unveil Winning Design for Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial in St James’s Park
In a landmark moment for British public architecture and design, Foster + Partners has been awarded the commission to design the National Memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, set within the historic grounds of St James’s Park, London. The international competition attracted leading voices from across architecture, landscape, and public art, with Foster + Partners’ thoughtful, understated proposal emerging as the winning design.
The memorial celebrates the remarkable life and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, whose reign spanned over seven decades of profound global change. Foster + Partners’ design reflects this extraordinary legacy, balancing the dualities that defined her life: tradition and modernity, public duty and private faith, national identity and international unity.
The winning team brings together world-renowned creatives from diverse disciplines. Alongside the Foster + Partners architectural studio are celebrated British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare CBE, known for his thought-provoking works exploring colonialism, identity, and cultural heritage, and Michel Desvigne, one of Europe’s most respected landscape designers, acclaimed for his sensitive, minimalist interventions in public spaces.
A Memorial of Dualities: Bridging Tradition and Change
The memorial is conceived as a physical and symbolic bridge, both literally and metaphorically. As Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners, describes,
“Her Majesty loved history and tradition, so this is reflected in the inspiration of the original design of St James’s Park by Sir John Nash. Some of his principles have survived, whilst others have been lost and will be restored, creating a family of gardens joined by gently meandering paths.”
Central to the design is a new, translucent bridge, replacing the existing Blue Bridge that traverses the park’s lake. This elegant crossing features a cast-glass balustrade, inspired by the delicate form of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding tiara, symbolising both personal memory and national celebration. More than a simple route, the bridge represents Her Majesty as a unifying force, connecting people, communities, nations, and generations.
The memorial also weaves together two distinct gardens and two new gates, reflecting the Queen’s ability to unify contrasts — from the formality of state occasions to the warmth of her private character; from the continuity of British traditions to the diversity of the modern Commonwealth.
Honouring History in St James’s Park
St James’s Park, London’s oldest Royal Park, offers a setting rich in historical and constitutional significance. Designed by John Nash in the early 19th century as part of a grand vision for ceremonial London, the park remains a central part of Britain’s national identity. Its sweeping lake, mature trees, and iconic views towards Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, and The Mall make it one of the capital’s most treasured public spaces.
It is also a place with deep personal connections to Queen Elizabeth II. Over her lifetime, the park served as a backdrop to countless royal events, parades, and moments of national celebration.
The memorial will sensitively enhance several key areas within the park, including land adjacent to The Mall at Marlborough Gate, space along Birdcage Walk, and the site of the lake crossing. Foster + Partners’ proposal has been deliberately designed to respect the park’s ecological character, ensuring minimal disruption to biodiversity and the daily enjoyment of the space by the public.
Landscape, Art, and Cultural Reflection
True to the multidisciplinary nature of the winning team, the memorial integrates architecture, landscape design, and contemporary art to create a space of reflection, inclusivity, and cultural storytelling.
Michel Desvigne will oversee the creation of two new gardens. One is dedicated to the Commonwealth, recognising Queen Elizabeth II’s pivotal role in fostering unity and cooperation across its 56 nations. The other garden honours the diverse communities of the United Kingdom, offering a space for reflection, belonging, and connection.
Complementing the gardens are planned artistic installations, led by Yinka Shonibare, whose work often explores themes of identity, migration, and cultural exchange. Shonibare’s involvement ensures the memorial reflects Britain’s contemporary identity, acknowledging the complex, multicultural society that evolved during the Queen’s reign.
At the heart of the memorial will also be a figurative sculptural element, to be designed by a sculptor selected in partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee. This sculptural work will provide a lasting focal point, capturing the Queen’s enduring legacy and the values that defined her reign: service, resilience, and quiet dignity.
Design with Sensitivity and Vision
Foster + Partners’ proposal impressed the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee’s selection panel with its balance of formal and informal elements, its technical sophistication, and its deep sensitivity to the historical and ecological context of St James’s Park.
Chair of the committee, Robin Janvrin, praised the design, commenting:
“Foster + Partners’ ambitious and thoughtful masterplan will allow us and future generations to appreciate Queen Elizabeth’s life of service as she balanced continuity and change with strong values, common sense, and optimism throughout her long reign.”
For Norman Foster and his team, the memorial represents a personal as well as professional honour. Reflecting on his memories of the Queen, Foster added:
“I knew The Queen on formal occasions but also enjoyed her informality when attending events as a member of the Order of Merit. We have sought to reflect these qualities of the formal and informal in our design, with an appeal across a wide range of ages and interests.”
A Lasting Legacy for the Nation
More than a tribute to a single individual, the memorial is intended as a landmark for generations to come, offering a space of unity, reflection, and quiet celebration within the heart of ceremonial London.
With the project now entering its development phase, Foster + Partners will work closely with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee and stakeholders to refine the design. The final proposal, including the completed artistic and sculptural elements, will be formally announced in April 2026, marking what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s hundredth birthday year.
This announcement will be accompanied by a wider legacy programme, ensuring the memorial is not only a physical space but a platform for education, cultural engagement, and the continued celebration of Her Majesty’s extraordinary life and reign.
Through architecture, art, and landscape, the Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial promises to be a place where the nation — and the world — can reflect, connect, and honour the life of a monarch who shaped modern Britain and inspired the global community.
All visuals courtesy of Foster + Partners
