December 12th 2024.
On September 8, 2022, the world was saddened by the news of Queen Elizabeth II's passing at Balmoral Castle. As the longest reigning monarch in the country's history, it was only fitting that a grand memorial be built in her honor. The initial budget for this project was estimated at a whopping £46,000,000, but this could change as the design teams begin their work.
Starting today, a competition has been launched for artists, architects, and engineers to submit their proposals for the national memorial. The chosen design will be located in the heart of London, near St James's Park's Blue Bridge. From this spot, visitors will have a stunning view of Buckingham Palace, Horse Guard Parade, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Lord Janvrin, the late Queen's former private secretary and chairman of the committee, has emphasized the importance of creating a beautiful and meaningful place for people to visit with their loved ones and reflect on the extraordinary life of Queen Elizabeth II.
The estimated cost for this project is enough to pay the annual salaries of over 1,200 nurses or 1,400 teachers, or even build 300 new houses. This amount includes the cost of replacing the old pedestrian bridge across the park's lake, which was built in 1957 to replace a 19th-century iron suspension bridge. This bridge had replaced architect John Nash's Chinese wooden bridge with a seven-story pagoda in the center, which had unfortunately caught fire during a royal firework display in the past.
St James's Park, located near Westminster and Buckingham Palace, has a rich history and is the perfect location for such a significant memorial. The final cost of the project is yet to be determined, as the provisional budget is only a guide for the design teams. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee will evaluate the submissions based on their value for money, as the memorial will be funded using public funds.
Once completed, the memorial will be a powerful and emotional place, with a pathway leading down to the Grade-I listed park's lake and designated areas for reflection. The monument itself will represent Queen Elizabeth II and will be located at Marlborough Gate. In the meantime, Londoners can stay updated on the latest news about the capital, including the plans for a £15,000,000,000,000 tunnel connecting London and New York, the sale of the iconic Regency Cafe for £170,000, and a man's bizarre choice of seat on a packed train, by visiting Metro's London news hub.
The winner of the competition will be announced next summer after a two-stage competition. The first stage's deadline is January 20, and Lord Janvrin has expressed the committee's desire to attract the best teams of architects, artists, landscape architects, engineers, and other specialists to work on this project. They are looking for designs that not only reflect the committee's ambitions but also evoke memories of Queen Elizabeth II's remarkable contributions to national life.
Although the competition will end next year, the final design will not be revealed until 2026, which would have been the Queen's 100th birthday year. This is to allow time for approval from the Prime Minister and the King. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, has emphasized the importance of this national memorial as a permanent tribute to the late Queen's legacy. It will serve as a place for both reflection and celebration, and the committee is eager to see the best ideas from the country's top architects and designers.
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