A team led by architect Norman Foster and British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare has won the competition to design a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in St James’s Park, London. The winning proposal includes a series of royal gardens linked by a stone path, a new bridge inspired by the Queen Mary fringe tiara, and Shonibare’s Wind Sculpture as a contemplative centerpiece. The project also features figurative sculptures of the Queen and Prince Philip, a Prince Philip gate, and a main monument beside the Mall. The design will be developed with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which will select a sculptor for the figurative elements later this year; the final design is due in April 2026, with a provisional budget of £23m–£46m.
The memorial matters because it represents a major public art and architecture commission honoring a historically significant monarch, blending contemporary sculpture by a leading British-Nigerian artist with traditional commemorative forms. The selection of Shonibare—known for his work exploring colonialism and identity—signals an inclusive approach to national memory. The project also highlights the role of public funding in shaping London’s royal landscape and sets a precedent for how modern memorials can integrate reflection, heritage, and artistic innovation.