UK unveils plans for 'fitting tribute' to Queen Elizabeth II

Permanent memorial to be ready in 2026 to coincide with what would have been her 100th birthday

LONDON, UK — The UK government announced on Sunday early-stage plans to erect a permanent memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II, alongside a national legacy program in her honor, in 2026.

The “fitting tribute” to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who died in September last year aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, will be unveiled to coincide with what would have been her 100th birthday.

The queen died in Balmoral, her beloved Scottish castle estate, at 96 years old after 70 years on the throne. She was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch at the time of her death in September 2022.

A newly-formed entity — the Queen Elizabeth memorial committee — will consider and recommend proposals for the memorial and legacy program, government department the Cabinet Office said.

The independent body — to be headed by Robin Janvrin, the late sovereign’s former private secretary — will consider her life, decades of public service and the causes she supported, it added.

Janvrin, a member of parliament’s unelected House of Lords chamber, called his appointment “an honor”.

“It will be a unique challenge to try to capture for future generations Her Late Majesty’s extraordinary contribution to our national life throughout her very long reign,” said Janvrin, who worked at Buckingham Palace in various roles from 1987 to 2007.

Senior royal, political and other figures and experts are set to be appointed to the committee to develop ideas and bring their recommendations to her heir, King Charles III, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The committee will also seek suggestions from the public during the preparatory process.

The government said it will support the proposals and consider funding options.

“Queen Elizabeth II was our longest reigning monarch and greatest public servant,” Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said.

“Lord Janvrin will now begin the important work of designing a fitting tribute to her legacy of service to our nation and the Commonwealth,” said Dowden.

In 1955, Elizabeth unveiled a statue of her father, George VI, on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace.