Statue of Queen Elizabeth II memorial: sculptor aims to capture grandeur and dignity

Martin Jennings, an established British sculptor who has previously depicted King Charles III and the Queen Mother, has said he hopes to capture the 'grandeur and dignity' of Britain's longest-reigning monarch in the memorial statue. He told PA News Agency that he was elated to be chosen to portray the late queen and that she was loved and admired worldwide for her steadfast devotion to duty, borne with grace, decency and restraint.

The statue will form part of a national memorial in central London's St James's Park, with the final design due to be revealed in 2026. Jennings said he does not yet have a defined idea of what the statue will look like and would seek the Royal Family's approval, but he stressed that he aimed to convey a sense of grandeur and stillness. He added that people have strong feelings about the queen, and he plans to listen to both invested organizations and members of the public to gauge how the representation should be perceived.

A section of St James's Park visible from Buckingham Palace will be re-landscaped for the memorial, with the budget described as between £23 million and £46 million. The anti-monarchy group Republic has urged that the Royal Family fund the memorial, rather than the government, with chief executive Graham Smith stating, 'They can pay for their own statue.'

The winning design was chosen from a shortlist of five concepts and will feature a bridge with a glass balustrade inspired by the late queen's wedding tiara. Plans also include a statue of the queen alongside Prince Philip, who was her husband for 73 years until his death in 2021, a Prince Philip Gate and new gardens. The final designs will be submitted to the King and the prime minister next year.