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A new statue of Queen Elizabeth II will be the centrepiece of a national memorial in London’s St James’s Park, with the sculptor behind the work pledging to capture the “grandeur and dignity” of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
The commission has been awarded to Martin Jennings, one of the UK’s most respected sculptors, whose past work includes statues of King Charles III and the Queen Mother. Speaking about the project, Jennings said he was “elated” to be chosen to portray the late queen, describing her as “loved and admired across the globe for her steadfast devotion to duty, borne with grace, decency and restraint.”
While the final design will not be revealed until 2026, Jennings explained that he does not yet have a “defined idea” of the statue’s form. He stressed the importance of securing the Royal Family’s approval before the design is finalised. “I hope to convey grandeur and dignity,” he said, adding that “a certain amount of stillness” would help capture the queen’s enduring presence.
The artist emphasised that his creative process will involve listening carefully to different voices. “I will be going through a period of listening to not only what invested organisations and individuals want of it, but taking the temperature of how the populace at large might want to see this representation,” Jennings explained. He acknowledged the “strong feelings” people continue to hold about the late queen, who reigned for 70 years.
The memorial itself will transform part of St James’s Park, within view of Buckingham Palace. A section of the park will be re-landscaped, with costs previously estimated between £23 million and £46 million. Central to the project will be a striking bridge featuring a glass balustrade inspired by the shape of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding tiara, symbolising her marriage to Prince Philip.
Alongside the statue of the queen, the memorial will also include a statue of Prince Philip, her husband of 73 years, who died in 2021. A new “Prince Philip Gate” and gardens are also planned as part of the design.
The winning memorial concept was chosen from a shortlist of five, with final designs to be presented to King Charles and the prime minister next year.
Not everyone supports the use of public money for the project. The anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has argued that the Royal Family should pay for the memorial themselves. “They can pay for their own statue,” said the group’s chief executive, Graham Smith.
For Jennings, however, the commission represents not only an artistic challenge but also a responsibility to reflect national sentiment. His work aims to stand as a lasting symbol of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, embodying the “grandeur and dignity” with which she carried out her life of service.
