Centenaire d’Elizabeth II : deux statues colossales de la reine seront érigées à Londres, dans St James’s Park
London has unveiled the final design and models for a colossal memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in St James's Park, to be completed by 2028. The centerpiece is a seven-meter bronze statue of the queen at age 28, inspired by a Pietro Annigoni portrait and created by sculptor Martin Jennings. It will be accompanied by a statue of Prince Philip by Jennings and a second, more intimate statue of the queen in old age by Karen Newman. The project marks the centenary of Elizabeth II's birth (1926–2022) and is designed by Foster + Partners. Models are on display at the British Museum until June 21.
This memorial matters because it transforms a traditional royal monument into a contemporary installation that juxtaposes two statues of the same monarch at different life stages, inviting reflection on time, memory, and the intersection of public duty and private life. It also highlights the role of public sculpture in shaping national identity and commemorating a figure who defined an era for many Britons.